Sponsorship

"Some water, a knife or even matches can mean the difference between life and death. And those things only come from sponsors. And to get sponsors, you have to make people like you."

- Haymitch to Katniss

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 when they feel that it's necessary.

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

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

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

Examples of items that can be sent to tributes

 * Food (Bread, Cheese, Soup, etc.)


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


 * Weapons


 * Clothing


 * Blankets and/or sleeping bag


 * Matches, a magnifying glass or fire starters


 * Medicine or first aid supplies (Burn healing cream)


 * Rope


 * Pack or bag (empty or full)


 * Water container (empty or full)


 * Night vision glasses


 * Arena-specific items, like a spile or a tube of ointment
 * Weapon specific items, like arrows, spearheads, or darts
 * Silverware
 * Spile

Differences between the book and movie

 * The gifts do not come in a protective silver casing in the books.
 * In the book, Katniss receives bread from District 11, sleep serum, burn medicine, soup and lamb stew. In the movie, she receives burn medicine and soup.
 * In the movie, the parachutes emit a distinctive chime, while in the books they are silent.
 * In the movie, the gifts Katniss received were accompanied with a small note from Haymitch to hint what she needs to do with the gift or how she needs to act to stay alive.  However, in the book, there were no notes and Katniss was left to interpret what each gift meant.

Sponsoren