USING PUBLIC FEEDBACK TO INCREASE CONTRIBUTIONS TO A MULTIPURPOSE SENIOR CENTER

Multipurpose senior centers are expanding their services to meet the d emands of a growing population. Unfortunately, federal agencies have n or matched this expansion with monetary support. Many senior centers h old fund-raisers to supplement their budgets, but the impact of these projects is rarely evaluated. This study assessed the effectiveness of a public posting strategy designed to increase donations to an ongoin g fund-raiser for a multipurpose senior center. The fund-raiser, ''Cou pons for Caring,'' consisted of senior volunteers clipping grocery cou pons from newspapers, sorting them, and attaching them to their respec tive products in local grocery scores. Grocery store customers were gi ven the option of donating the coupons to the senior center or redeemi ng them when they purchased the products ro which the coupons were att ached. In the experimental condition, signs were posted that included visual and written instructions, feedback on the value of coupons dona ted by customers the previous week, and feedback on the overall amount of money donated to the senior center. The signs were posted near eac h cashier stand and at the front entrances of the grocery stores in a multiple baseline across grocery stores. The percentage of coupons don ated to the senior center increased at each store after the signs were posted.