This critically acclaimed, historical and delicious South tradition has been persisting since the year 1990.
Making 36 dozen a day, Mother’s Club cookie sales are the lunch-time favorite of many students at South. Sold Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a dollar per bag, these sales continue only with the students in mind. Factoring in the cookie and bag cost, the profit from these sales are slim, at approximately less than a dollar per package. Battling with limited freezer space and the impending doom of potential shipping fees, the Mother’s Club endures on the basis of community and school culture.
School Store Co-Manager Mary Jane Haindl, explains that even though the Mother’s Club makes a slight profit, it has a higher emotional value to the entire South population.
“We want to keep doing it for the kids and we don’t want to raise the price,” Haindl said. “We feel that it’s something everyone looks forward to and gets you through the day.”
Many students feel the importance and thoughtfulness of the reasonable price, astute effort and enormous positive impact. Malvina Lubanski ’24 appreciates that they are baked fresh every day they are sold, just for students to enjoy.
“I find them to be very comforting,” Lubanski said. “They’re nice, warm and gooey. When you think of ‘the’ chocolate chip cookie, that’s what you get.”
Year after year, students and parents return to contribute to the school store. Co-Manager Jennifer Kelly appreciates the generational connections that cookie sales create.
“There are so many parents who come in that went to school here and bought the cookies here too,” Kelly said. “They are always like ‘the price hasn’t even changed, that’s awesome!’ It’s just a part of it and it has been for so long.”
One of the biggest impacts of this tradition is the effect on school store volunteers. Both Haindl and Kelly agree that it’s worth donating their time in exchange for the feel of giving back.
“That’s why a lot of the parent’s like to volunteer, to see the kids and to let you guys (students) know how much we appreciate you and all your efforts,” Haindl said. “High school can be challenging. You guys are stretched in so many different ways and if we can give a sense of relaxation, even for a moment when you’re having a cookie, that’s something.”
