- Is my school currently enrolled in Box Tops for Education?
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Over 90,000 K-8 schools are enrolled in the Box Tops program. To find out if your school participates, click the Join Us link on the home page.
The Box Tops for Education program is available to any accredited public, private or parochial school, for grades K-8, in the United States that is organized and primarily operated for educational purposes; U.S. military schools, K-8, worldwide; and accredited home school associations, K-8, in the United Sates that are organized and operated primarily for educational purposes and have 15 or more students.
- I don’t see a promotion I saw a few days ago. Did it move somewhere else?
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Box Tops promotions change all the time. However, every promotion that is currently active will always be listed on the Bonus Box Tops page or on the Marketplace Deals & Discounts page. If a promotion no longer appears, it has ended or expired.
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- Does my school have to participate in every part of the Box Tops for Education program?
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Being involved with Box Tops for Education is completely voluntary. No school is required to participate in Box Tops or any or all of its program components. However, only schools that participate are eligible to receive donations from General Mills. Participating schools receive donations to the extent that they take part in Box Tops for Education opportunities.
- What if my school does not participate in Box Tops for Education?
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Over 90,000 K-8 schools are enrolled in Box Tops for Education. However, not every K-8 school participates. If your school is not currently involved in Box Tops and you would like it to be, contact your school principal or administrator and ask them to enroll by calling Box Tops for Education toll free at 1-888-799-2444 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CST, five days a week.
- How much money can my school earn with Box Tops for Education?
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Your school can earn up to $20,000 from each of the four Box Tops for Education program components (Clip, Shop,Reading Room and My Class Essentials).
- How can I earn cash for my school through the Box Tops program?
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The Box Tops program has three main components through which you can earn cash for your school:
Box Tops Coupons - Clip Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products found in your local grocery store and send them to your school. Your school earns 10¢ for each Box Top redeemed. Learn more about Clip.
Box Tops MarketplaceSM - Shop online at your favorite stores like JCPenney and Lands' End through the Box Tops for Education Marketplace. Your school earns a percentage of each qualifying purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more about the Box Tops Marketplace.
Box Tops Reading Room - Buy books through the Box Tops Reading Room and your school earns up to 6% of each qualifying purchase. Learn more about the Box Tops Reading Room.
My Class Essentials – Purchase items for your child’s classroom at the My Class Essentials registry. Learn more about My Class Essentials.
Bonus opportunities – Enter sweepstakes and participate in other promotions to earn cash for your school. Learn more about bonus opportunities .
- What can my school do with the money it earns from Box Tops for Education?
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Your school can use the money for anything it wants. Computers, books, playground equipment and classroom parties are just some of the ways schools have chosen to use the funds raised through Box Tops for Education.
- How much money has Box Tops for Education given to schools?
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Box Tops for Education has contributed over $300 million to participating schools since the launch of the program in 1996.
- How does my school get paid for Box Tops earnings?
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Schools are issued two checks per year,in December and April. The December check includes all Box Tops earnings accrued from March 1 to October 31 totaling $20.00 or more. (If the total is less than $20.00, this amount will be carried over and paid in the April check.) The April check includes Box Tops earnings accrued from November 1 through February 28.
- What is the Box Tops for Education Marketplace?
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The Box Tops Marketplace allows you to earn cash for your school when you shop online. Start at the Box Tops Marketplace at boxtops4education.com. Click on the link to any one of the more than 70 favorite online stores; you'll be automatically sent to that store's web site. Shop and check out as you normally would and a portion of your qualifying purchase is donated to your school.
- How does it work?
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To shop at the Marketplace, you need to first sign up online and designate a school to support. Once you’ve signed up, simply start your online shopping at the Marketplace , and up to 15% of your purchases will be donated to your school. Finally, be sure that "cookies" are enabled on your Internet browser. Cookies are necessary to accurately track your purchases from participating stores. If you set your Internet browser to disable or reject cookies, we will not be able to track and confirm your purchases and make the proper donation to your school. By default, cookies are enabled in major Internet browsers, including Microsoft® Internet Explorer, Mozilla®, Firefox and AOL®. For more information about cookies, consult the "Help" function of your Internet browser.
- Do I need to start at the Box Tops Marketplace every time I shop in order to earn cash for my school?
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Yes. In order to ensure that all of your purchases are credited to your designated school, you must start at the Box Tops Marketplace before making a purchase. If you don't start at the Box Tops Marketplace, your designated school will not receive credit for your purchase.
- What if I forget to shop through the Box Tops Marketplace?
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Purchases made online that don't originate through the Box Tops Marketplace will not be credited to your designated school. To ensure that your school earns cash every time you shop online, be sure to always start at the Box Tops Marketplace. Bookmark the page or place it in your browser's favorites to make it easier to remember.
- Do I pay more for purchases made through the Box Tops Marketplace?
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No. There are no extra fees when you shop through the Box Tops Marketplace. Prices are set by the individual stores and are the same whether you make your purchase through the Box Tops Marketplace or directly from store web sites. You'll have access to sale prices, promotions and deals just like any online shopper. In addition, many stores may offer special sales and promotions just for Box Tops supporters on the Deals & Discounts page.
- How do I track purchases I've made through the Box Tops Marketplace?
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Log in to the Box Tops website and go to the Progress section. Here you’ll find your earnings for the designated school in your account. Please note that it may take six to eight weeks for some stores to report purchases to Box Tops for Education.
| Transactions reported on or before: |
Earnings posted: |
| January 31 |
March 15 |
| February 28 |
April 15 |
| March 31 |
May 15 |
| April 30 |
June 15 |
| May 31 |
July 15 |
| June 30 |
August 15 |
| July 31 |
September 15 |
| August 31 |
October 15 |
| September 30 |
November 15 |
| October 31 |
December 15 |
| November 30 |
January 15 |
| December 31 |
February 15 |
- What should I do if a purchase I've made isn't reflected in my Marketplace earnings?
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We're committed to making sure that your purchases help support your designated school. If you've made a purchase and don't see it reflected in your donation totals, first determine how long it's been since your purchase was made. Because of the way some stores report data to Box Tops, it can take six to eight weeks for information to be posted to your account. We will update your account on the 15th of each month. If you feel that a donation has not been credited to your designated school after eight weeks from the date of purchase, let Box Tops know so that we can investigate. We want to ensure that your school receives the correct donation for your qualifying purchases.
- Are there any types of purchases that won't result in a donation to my school?
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Donation percentages and qualifiers for purchases made at Box Tops Marketplace vary by store and are clearly listed. Donations are most often calculated excluding sales taxes, shipping costs, gift certificates, packaging or handling fees, gift-wrapping fees, governmental fees and certain other charges. If you have questions regarding the restrictions at a particular store, click on "restrictions" at the Box Tops Marketplace to visit the Donation Calculations and Restrictions page.
- What if I return something purchased through the Box Tops Marketplace?
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Each store has different rules regarding merchandise returns. However, when you purchase an item and your school receives a donation based on that purchase, that donation will be deducted from a future payment to your school if you return your purchase.
- My kids attend different schools. Can I support multiple schools with the Box Tops Marketplace?
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You can only designate one school to receive the donation from any given purchase, i.e., purchases made in a single store shopping “trip” cannot be divided among schools. However, you can easily change your designated school whenever you wish. To change your school, click on Profile at the top of the page. To switch back to the previous school, or to shop for another school, follow these same steps. Using this method, you can rotate between two or more schools as often as you like.
- We have relatives in another state. Can they earn cash for my school through the Marketplace?
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Yes! This is actually one of the easiest ways to get others to help make a difference for your school. Friends, relatives or even businesses can shop to support any school, whether it's in the next state or across the country. All they need to do is sign up online at the Box Tops website with your school's name and state or ZIP code. Once registered, every qualifying purchase they make through the Box Tops Marketplace will earn cash for your school.
- What if I'd like to shop at a store not listed in the Box Tops Marketplace?
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We hope that you'll find your favorite stores at the Box Tops Marketplace, but there are some that don't participate. Purchases made at stores outside the Box Tops Marketplace will not benefit your school. We encourage you to shop at stores that are part of the Box Tops Marketplace so that your purchases will benefit your designated school.
- What is the Box Tops for Education Reading Room?
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The Reading Room lets you earn money for your school when you shop online at Barnes & Noble. First, you must start at the Box Tops Reading Room at boxtops4education.com. When you click on the Shop Now link, you will be sent to the Barnes & Noble website. Shop and check out as you normally would, and Barnes & Noble will automatically donate up to 6% of qualified purchases to your school.
- How does it work?
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The Box Tops for Education Reading Room works exactly the same way as the Box Tops for Education Marketplace.
To shop at the Reading Room, first sign up online and designate a school to support. Once you’ve signed up, simply start your online shopping at the Reading Room, and up to 6% of your purchases will be donated to your school. Finally, be sure that "cookies" are enabled on your Internet browser. Cookies are necessary to accurately track your purchases from participating stores. If you set your Internet browser to disable or reject cookies, we will not be able to track and confirm your purchases and make the proper donation to your school. By default, cookies are enabled in major Internet browsers, including Microsoft® Internet Explorer, Mozilla®, Firefox and AOL®. For more information about cookies, consult the "Help" function of your Internet browser.
- What is the difference between the Box Tops Reading Room and the Box Tops Marketplace?
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The Reading Room works exactly the same as the Box Tops Marketplace. The Reading Room section includes additional information on reading and makes it easier to shop online at Barnes & Noble specifically.
Your school will earn the same donation if you shop at Barnes & Noble through the Box Tops Reading Room or the Box Tops Marketplace. If you shop Barnes & Noble through the Reading Room, earnings will appear in the Reading Room section of your earnings report. If you shop Barnes & Noble through the Marketplace, earnings will appear in the Marketplace section of your earnings report
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- What if I purchase through the Marketplace instead of the Reading Room? Will I still receive the same donation for my school?
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Yes. Your school will earn the same donation if you shop online at Barnes & Noble through the Box Tops Reading Room or the Box Tops Marketplace. If you shop Barnes & Noble through the Reading Room, earnings will appear in the Reading Room section of your earnings report. If you shop Barnes & Noble through the Marketplace, earnings will appear in the Marketplace section of your earnings report.
- Do I need to start at the Box Tops Reading Room every time I shop in order to earn cash for our school?
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Yes. In order to ensure your purchase is credited to your school, you must start at either the Box Tops Reading Room or the Box Tops Marketplace. If you don't click the store's link through the Box Tops Reading Room or Marketplace before shopping and completing your transaction, your school will not receive credit for your purchase.
- What if I forget to shop through the Box Tops Reading Room?
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Purchases made online that don't originate through the Box Tops Reading Room or the Box Tops Marketplace will not be credited to your school. To ensure that your school earns cash every time you shop online, you must be sure to always start at the Box Tops Reading Room or the Box Tops Marketplace. Bookmark the page or place it in your browser's favorites to make it easier to remember.
- Do I pay more for purchases that I make through the Box Tops Reading Room?
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No. There are no extra fees when you shop through the Box Tops Reading Room. Prices are set by Barnes & Noble and are the same whether or not you make your purchases through the Box Tops Reading Room. You'll have access to sale prices, promotions and deals just like any online shopper. In addition, Barnes & Noble may offer special sales and promotions just for Box Tops supporters.
- How do I track purchases I have made through the Box Tops Reading Room?
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Log in to the Box Tops website and go to the Progress section. This will show you your earnings for all the designated schools in your account. Please note that it may take six to eight weeks for purchases to be reported to Box Tops for Education.
| Transactions reported on or before: |
Earnings posted: |
| January 31 |
March 15 |
| February 28 |
April 15 |
| March 31 |
May 15 |
| April 30 |
June 15 |
| May 31 |
July 15 |
| June 30 |
August 15 |
| July 31 |
September 15 |
| August 31 |
October 15 |
| September 30 |
November 15 |
| October 31 |
December 15 |
| November 30 |
January 15 |
| December 31 |
February 15 |
- What should I do if a purchase isn't reflected in my school's Reading Room earnings?
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We're committed to making sure that your purchases help support your school. If you have made a purchase and don't see it reflected in your donation totals in My Reading Room Earnings, first determine how long it's been since your purchase was made. Because of the way data is reported to Box Tops, it can take six to eight weeks for information to be posted to your school's account. We update Reading Room donations on the 15th of each month for the month prior. If you feel that a donation has not been credited to your school after eight weeks from the date of purchase, email so that we can investigate. We want to ensure that your school receives the correct donation for qualifying purchases.
- Are there any types of purchases that won't result in a donation to my school?
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When you start your Barnes & Noble online shopping at the Reading Room, your school will be credited 6% on new books, magazines, and textbooks, and 3% on all other items. Donations to your school are most often calculated excluding charges associated with sales taxes, shipping costs, packaging or handling fees, gift-wrapping services, governmental fees and certain other charges. If you have questions regarding the restrictions, visit the Some restrictions may apply" at the Box Tops Reading Room for a full description.
- What if I return something purchased through the Box Tops Reading Room?
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When you purchase an item and your school receives a donation based on that purchase, that donation will be deducted from a future payment to your school if the item is returned.
- My children attend different schools. Can I support multiple schools with the Box Tops Reading Room?
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You can only designate one school to receive the donation from any given purchase, i.e., purchases made in a single store shopping “trip” cannot be divided among schools. However, you can easily change your designated school whenever you wish. To change your school, click on Profile at the top of the page. To switch back to the previous school, or to shop for another school, follow these same steps. Using this method, you can rotate between two or more schools as often as you like.
- I have relatives in another state. Can they earn cash for my school through the Reading Room?
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Yes! This is actually one of the easiest ways to get others to help make a difference for your school. Friends, relatives or even businesses can shop to support any school, whether it's in the next state or across the country. All they need to do is sign up online at the Box Tops website with your school's name and state or ZIP code. Once registered, every qualifying purchase they make through the Box Tops Reading Room will earn cash for your school.
- What if I would like to shop at a store not listed in the Box Tops Reading Room?
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Barnes & Noble is the only merchant included on the Box Tops Reading Room. We encourage you to check the Box Tops Marketplace for additional merchants.
- What kinds of promotions does Box Tops run?
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Box Tops runs lots of different kinds of promotions, including sweepstakes, contests, coupons, Bonus Box Tops offers, Marketplace deals and discounts, special partner offers and more.
To see all current bonus opportunities, or to find local promotions and events in stores near you, visit the Bonus Box Tops page. Find Marketplace Deals & Discounts in the Marketplace section. And click the Coupons link in the menu at the bottom of every page for this month’s money-saving coupons. All of these promotions change continually, so check back often to see what’s new!
- I don’t see a promotion I saw a few days ago. Did it move somewhere else?
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Box Tops promotions change all the time. However, every promotion that is currently active will always be listed on the Bonus Box Tops page or on the Marketplace Deals & Discounts page. If a promotion no longer appears, it has ended or expired.
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- How are the winners determined in Box Tops sweepstakes?
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Selection process and other details may vary by event and are provided in the Official Rules for each contest or sweepstakes. Look for the Rules link on the sweepstakes entry page.
- How does my school get Box Tops if I win a sweepstakes?
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Schools are awarded Bonus Box Tops electronically. It may take 4 to 6 weeks for these Bonus Box Tops winnings to appear on your school’s earnings page.
- Where can I find Box Tops coupons on the website?
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You’ll find a link to the Coupons page in the menu at the bottom of every page.
- How do I print my own coupons?
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You must print out coupons with a printer connected to your home computer. Check the box under each coupon you want, click "Print Selected Coupons" at the bottom of the screen and take the coupons to your local grocery store.
- Will my grocery store accept these coupons?
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Not all grocery stores will accept coupons printed from your home computer. In fact, not all stores within the same chain have the same policies on these coupons. Before presenting coupons at your local grocery store, please check with the store's manager or customer service desk.
- Do I have to do anything special with my computer to print coupons?
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Yes. If this is your first time printing online coupons, you'll need to install a small application that allows our website to communicate with your computer. Click "Yes" when the install window appears. Even with a 56K modem, the application takes only seconds to download.
- I tried to download coupons with the computer at my place of employment, but it didn't work. Why?
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Due to security settings, you may not be able to print coupons if you are on a network. We recommend you print your coupons at home.
- A coupon I selected wouldn't print out. Why?
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Quantities of coupons for download are limited and selections change often. Check back every month for new coupons.
- Can I download coupons with my Apple computer?
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Yes. You can download and print coupons using Apple's Safari browser. Other Macintosh browsers are not supported at this time.
- How does Box Tops calculate my school's earnings?
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Your school's volunteer Box Tops Coordinator must total all Box Tops coupons and Bonus certificates that have been collected by your school and submit them to Box Tops for Education. Schools will be credited 10¢ for each Box Top coupon and the face value of each Bonus Box Top submitted.
For donations made through the Box Tops Marketplace, the Box Tops Reading Room and My Class Essentials, the amount of the donation to your school varies depending on the merchant and depending on the item or service purchased. Your account will be updated on the 15th of each month to reflect the previous month's reported purchases. (For example, April purchases reported to Box Tops will be posted on June 15.) Please note that it may take six to eight weeks for some stores to report purchases to Box Tops for Education.
| Transactions reported on or before: |
Earnings posted: |
| January 31 |
March 15 |
| February 28 |
April 15 |
| March 31 |
May 15 |
| April 30 |
June 15 |
| May 31 |
July 15 |
| June 30 |
August 15 |
| July 31 |
September 15 |
| August 31 |
October 15 |
| September 30 |
November 15 |
| October 31 |
December 15 |
| November 30 |
January 15 |
| December 31 |
February 15 |
To learn more, please refer to Box Tops Official Rules page.
- How much has my school earned through Box Tops?
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On the Progress page you can see your school’s earnings for the current year, the previous year, and total earnings since enrollment. Keep in mind that the earnings for this year may not reflect recent donations based on submissions and reporting schedules.
- How do you calculate my school's goal?
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Your school's earnings goal may have been determined either by your school's coordinator or by Box Tops. Box Tops calculates a goal for your school in one of two ways. If your school's earnings last year were less than $500, your school's goal will be set at $500. If your school's earnings last year were greater than $500, Box Tops will increase your school's goal by adding 20%. This helps challenge schools to earn more and truly make a difference for students.
- Can I see my school's earnings compared to other schools?
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Yes. To see how your school compares to schools in your area, your state and across the nation, visit the Progress section.
- How do I change my personal information?
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Click on Your Profile at the top of any page
- How do I change the school I am supporting through the Box Tops website?
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The Progress page indicates the name of the school you are currently supporting. To change your designated school, go to Profile at the top of any page.
- When will my school receive payment for its earnings?
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Payments are made twice each school year, in December and April. Each payment will include amounts earned by schools from clipping Box Tops, shopping online through the Box Tops Marketplace, buying books through the Box Tops Reading Room, buying items from a My Class Essentials registry and through bonus programs. The December payment will reflect the amounts earned from March 1 through October 31, and the April payment will reflect the amounts earned from November 1 through February 28. Schools that accrue total earnings of less than $20.00 from March 1 through the following October 31 will not be issued a December payment. Instead, those earnings will carry over and a payment will be issued for the entire school year (March 1 through February 28) to those schools in the April payment. It takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks for checks to arrive.
- How can I find out what my school does with the cash it earns from Box Tops?
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Contact your school's Box Tops coordinator to learn more about how they spend their earnings.
- What can I do to help spread the word about Box Tops?
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Download and print these Box Tops flyers to hand out to friends, family, co-workers, or anyone else who would like to support your school through Box Tops for Education. All files are in PDF format, so you'll need to have Adobe® Reader® to view and print them. If you don't have Adobe Reader installed on your computer, you can download it for free here.
