High Schools Counting On Shopper Incentives

Between now and Oct. 9, it’s high-stakes grocery shopping time at five Windward Oahu high schools.

The 12th annual Shop and Score promotion is under way, allowing customers at Times Super Markets statewide to fatten up schools’ ailing sports budgets – including Castle, Kailua, Kalaheo and Kahuku high schools, and Le Jardin Academy. Since the program’s inception, Shop and Score has donated more than $1.25 million worth of Adidas uniforms and equipment to Hawaii schools.

Trinity Christian School students have performed community service for the last two years in their own backyard, and last month's assault on Kawainui Marsh topped it all, as demonstrated by (from left, holding cattails) Christina Marin, Jordan Klein, Isabella Schag, Bobby Treakle, Philip Bretz, Lahela Kwan, Caleb Goda, teacher Laura Wilson and Nani Meinken. In partnership with the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi, they have reclaimed the path from the school to the marsh, cleared taro patches and removed alien species. Next up: Wash clothes, then replant taro. Photo by Bryan Wolfe.

It’s been invaluable to Castle High, a frequent winner of the competition, according to athletic director Richard Haru. “It has allowed us to purchase uniforms for just about every sport and to use our regular allocation for much-needed equipment and supplies,” he said.

Kahuku AD Gillian Yamagata lists benefits to its girls JV and varsity soccer, boys JV and varsity football, varsity soccer and cross country programs. And Kailua AD Ramona Takahashi said the Surfriders have gotten basketball, volleyball and softball equipment like Marucci softball bats as well as uniforms for softball, girls basketball and boys volleyball teams. She hopes to add track/cross country this year.

Shopper awareness is critical, and participating schools pin their hopes on it. Shoppers earn points for the school of their choice when they buy Kraft Foods products (and more than a dozen other brands, as labeled by the store). Simply tell the cashier your school choice at time of purchase. Schools earn their share of $250,000 in Adidas Mi-team uniforms based on the number of labeled products bought and points donated to them by Times shoppers.