Day of Caring
The Heart of Illinois United Way’s annual Day of Caring brings together volunteers from local companies and organizations to help our partner agencies and schools. Projects include helping with our food drive, reading and crafts with preschool children, landscaping, painting and more. Last year, more than 1,650 volunteers provided more than 6,600 hours of work.
- Friday, September 7, 2018
- Morning and afternoon volunteer opportunities available
- Projects are located throughout central Illinois at our partner agencies and schools
- Click here to register…
Food Drive
Demand at area food pantries continues to rise. In Illinois, 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 5 children are at risk of hunger and lack access to the food they need to lead healthy, active lives. People throughout central Illinois need your help. Last year, our Day of Caring Food Drive collected more than 23,000 lbs of food for families in need.
- Collection Day is Friday, September 7, 2018 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Collection site is at the Peoria Civic Center (parking lot, corner of Kumpf and Jefferson)
- Companies and organizations who register for the food drive will be assigned a drop-off window on September7 and volunteers will help unload your vehicle
- Click here to register…
New! Can You Imagine … a Food Drive Contest
What “can” you build from unopened, canned or boxed food? The Heart of Illinois United Way challenges you to have a little fun with your food drive donation this year and create a display/structure for our “Can You Imagine” contest. Click yes below and we’ll send you a packet of information on how to participate. Up for grabs are bragging rights, the chance to win a cool trophy, and photo of your display/structure posted on social media. Just think … you could have fun and help more than 150 local food pantries!
Click here to download an informational packet…
Here are creative materials to help you run a fun and successful drive:
Fact Sheet
This one-sheet Fact Sheet sums up why the food drive is more important than ever – we encourage you to share the flier/information with your employees…
What to Collect
To make sure pantries are stocked with nutritious, healthy staples here are some ideas on what is needed…
Tips on Collecting Food
Haven’t run a food drive before? Here are ideas for the supplies and volunteers you’ll need along with ideas for setting timelines and a goal.
Fun Ideas
A successful food drive will make it fun for employees and we’ve supplied you with a handful of ideas to incorporate into your efforts…
Sample Messages
Whether you send them via email or post them in a company newsletter, here are sample messages that you can customize and use during your food drive…
Flier and Sign for Your Collection Box
Don’t forget to promote your food drive and mark the collection spot!
Thank You to Our 2018 Day of Caring Underwriter
Thank You to Our 2018 Food Drive Partners:
