Sponsorship

Sponsorship involves a mentor, with the help of the escort, procuring useful tools for the tributes from the Capitol, their family, and friends in their district through donations from sponsors. Tributes are sponsored based on their first impression at the opening ceremonies, training scores, impression in the interviews, performance in the arena, as well as a number of other factors. Donations from sponsors range from medicines to food to weapons and more, and are sent into the arena via silver silk parachutes. The longer the Hunger Games go on, the more expensive gifts become. However, any gift that is sent costs an exorbitant amount, which is why it was surprising when Katniss Everdeen received a number of gifts in The Hunger Games and when the tributes got several dozen rolls spread throughout the Games in Catching Fire. Sponsors give their donations to the mentors, and the money is spent on necessary tools for the tributes. Haymitch Abernathy and Katniss communicated indirectly through her actions in the arena and the gifts that that she received. Mentors can also withhold gifts.

Sponsor Gifts
In the 65th Hunger Games, a sponsor sent a beautiful trident to Finnick Odair. Katniss recalled it was the most expensive gift she had ever seen given in a Hunger Games.

In the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss received burn medicine, broth, bread from Rue's district, and a container of the rich lamb dish she was fond of during her time at the Capitol.

In the 75th Hunger Games, the alliance of Beetee, Katniss, Peeta, Johanna, Wiress, and Finnick received bread from various districts several times. They also received a spile which helped them get water.

Examples of items that can be sent to tributes

 * Food


 * Water, or water cleaning supplies, such as drops of a pump


 * Weapons


 * Clothing


 * Blankets and/or sleeping bag


 * Matches, a magnifying glass or fire starters


 * Medicine or first aid supplies


 * Rope


 * Pack or bag (empty or full)


 * Water container (empty or full)


 * Night vision glasses


 * Arena-specific items, like a spile, a tube of onitement,
 * weapon specific items, like arrows, spearheads, or darts.

Differences between the book and movie

 * The gifts do not come in a protective silver casing in the books.
 * In the book Haymitch is not mentioned trying to get sponsors (as Katniss would not have seen this), but the movie shows him talking to prospective sponsors.
 * In the book the gifts do not include notes from Haymitch.
 * In the movie the parachutes emit a distinctive chime, while in the books they are silent.