What is the Barnes Pumpkin Patch Challenge?
It's JMBEFSA's fall fundraiser! Students ask family, friends, neighbors, and local businesses to support Barnes by purchasing $10 paper pumpkins. The pumpkins will be displayed together in a giant Barnes Pumpkin Patch.

When is the fundraiser?
The Pumpkin Patch Challenge runs September 28 through October 19.

How much is a pumpkin?
Each pumpkin is $10.

How do I purchase a pumpkin?
Scan the QR code on the pumpkin to pay online through Givebutter, or send $10 cash back to school with the completed pumpkin.

Who can students ask to support them?
Family, grandparents, friends, neighbors, local businesses, and other people they know can all purchase pumpkins.

Do we have to decorate the pumpkin?
No! Decorating is completely optional. Students or their supporters are welcome to color, paint, add stickers, or get creative with their pumpkins, but an undecorated pumpkin counts just the same.

Can the person who buys the pumpkin decorate it?
Absolutely! We'd love that. A grandparent, neighbor, friend, or local business can decorate the pumpkin they purchase. The more variety in our Pumpkin Patch, the more fun it will be!

What do we write on the pumpkin?
Fill in the student information and payment method at the top. On the display portion, add the student's name and who supported the pumpkin. For example: Supported by Grandma & Grandpa or Supported by Joe's Pizza.

What if we paid online?
Mark ONLINE on the pumpkin and return the pumpkin to school. JMBEFSA will track the Givebutter payment.

What if we're paying cash?
Mark CASH and return the completed pumpkin and $10 cash to the student's teacher together.

Can we pay by check?
No. Please use cash or Givebutter.

What if I don't know the student's teacher?
No problem. Select “Not Sure” when donating online. We'll match the donation to the student.

Can I buy more than one pumpkin?
Please do! 🎃 You can select multiple pumpkins when donating online. Every $10 equals one pumpkin.

What if I want to donate an amount that isn't a multiple of $10?
The entire donation supports Barnes and counts toward our $10,000 goal. Students receive one pumpkin credit for each complete $10 donated.

Does the optional Givebutter tip count toward the student's pumpkin total?
No. Givebutter tips are separate. Student pumpkin totals are based on the amount donated directly to JMBEFSA.

I have more than one student at Barnes. How do I divide my donation?
Make a separate pumpkin purchase for each student so we can easily give everyone the correct credit.

Where can students get more pumpkins?
Students start with 5 pumpkin sheets. Additional copies are available in the school office or can be printed right here from the Pumpkin Challenge website.

Is there a classroom competition?
Yes! Each classroom is trying to grow 100 pumpkins, or $1,000.

The top classroom in each grade wins a cider-and-donut party, $100 in Scholastic books for the classroom, and a special prize pack for the teacher.

How are classroom winners determined?
We use the average number of pumpkins sold per student, so classes of different sizes have an equal chance to win.

What happens if Barnes reaches $10,000?
This is where things get ridiculous. 😂

🚜 Dr. Mullins becomes a farmer for the day!

She'll trade her regular principal's office for a silly Pumpkin Patch Office, complete with a hay-bale desk, farm-themed supplies, and plenty of pumpkin-patch nonsense.

What prizes can students earn?

5 pumpkins / $50: 1 pick from the Pumpkin Prize Patch
10 pumpkins / $100: 2 total prize picks + 1 Pumpkin Launch
15 pumpkins / $150: 3 total prize picks + 2 Pumpkin Launches

Fifteen pumpkins is the highest individual Prize Patch level, but every pumpkin sold after that still counts toward the classroom competition, school goal, and top-seller prize.

When will students receive their prizes?
JMBEFSA will visit classrooms throughout the fundraiser with the Pumpkin Prize Patch wagon as students reach new prize levels.

When will the Pumpkin Launch happen?
Students who earn a Pumpkin Launch will participate in a special pumpkin-launching event. Additional details will be shared with qualifying students.

What does the top seller win?
The overall top pumpkin seller earns a Barnes VIP Day! ⭐

Our Barnes VIP will get a custom VIP shirt and lanyard and enjoy special experiences throughout the school day, including morning announcements, time with Dr. Mullins and other favorite staff members, helping with a gym activity, VIP seating at the PBIS assembly, and more.

What happens if two students tie for top seller?
They both win Barnes VIP Day!