I Hate Culver's Night

Tonight was Culver's Night for Allison and Jacob's school.  This meant that the PTO got 10% of all sales between 4-7 pm at our local Culver's.  So, let's ponder why I hate Culver's Night.

(1) It forces me to violate my primary rule of eating out, which is "No Fast Food In Appleton."  This rule was created in order to eliminate "Can we go to McDonald's?" every time we passed a McDonald's, which is almost every time we go anywhere.  Now, I'm going to have to field "Can we go to Culver's?" for the next two months.

(2) The kids get pressure.  Allison had "Culver's night tomorrow" and "Culver's night tonight" in her assignment notebook yesterday and today.  Math worksheet (check), totally unhealthy dinner of fried cheese and butterburgers (check).  Jacob came home with a sticker, presumably because he doesn't have an assignment notebook to write in.

(3) It's a friggin zoo.  Every table is full from 4-7, the lines are long (we waited 1/2 hour), and it's LOUD.  This is a recipe for a meltdown for kids who don't process sensory stimuli very well.  Both kids were upset because their friends and teachers weren't there at the same time that we were.  I was upset because I think Culver's decided to trial-by-fire their new fall employees.

(4) The irony factor.  On Monday we received a list of appropriate healthy snacks to send with our children each day.  They include crackers, cheese, pretzels, yogurt, fruit, and veggies.  We are asked not to stray from this list for any reason.  I believe that Culver's does not sell a single solitary item on the approved list. 

(5) Our "contribution" to the PTO came to a whopping $1.80.  Which is oddly both a small bit of money (could I have just given you $2), and the testament that fast food is not always cheap food (I think a healthy meal at home for three people could be well under $18)

I'm sure that I'd rather suffer the night at Culver's than sell $150 worth of wrapping paper (which, ironically would also net the PTO about $1.80) - but seriously, there has got to be a better fundraiser.