Role of the Organizer
Follow the steps below to organize your own Host a Drive event with your community.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 1
Contact Us
To decide when, where, and how you’d like to host your drive, consider the following:
- Do you have space available to store collected items and/or assemble the boxes?
- What date and time work for your event?
- How will you assign items that need to be purchased?
- Will you use collective giving for all items or just specific categories (e.g., Book Sponsor)?
Please fill out this form to express your interest and we will contact you with next steps.
Step 2
Promote
We will provide a flyer to help you promote your Collection/Assembly event. The flyer will include participation details and event specifics. As a Host, you determine the best way for participants to get involved. See below for more information about Participant Involvement.
We recommend sharing this information 2-4 weeks before your collection date. You can promote it by displaying flyers, posting on social media, including in newsletters, or sending emails/texts.
Step 3
Collect
On your chosen date(s), collect the donated items at your selected location.
Sort the items by type (e.g., tea, chocolate, journals, shower steamers, eye masks) using large boxes, plastic tubs, or brown paper bags. Be sure to keep the shower steamer separate from the consumable food items.
If you decided not to assemble boxes, you can skip to Step 5.
Step 4
Assemble
On your chosen date, assemble the care packages at your selected location.
We will provide the boxes and additional items prior to your event.
If using collective giving for items, plan to end collections a few days before assembly date to allow time for purchases.
Step 5
Pick Up and Acknowledgment
After your event, please contact us to arrange for the pickup of items and boxes.
We would love to showcase your efforts, so be sure to take pictures!
Participant Involvement
Participants have several ways of supporting a Host a Drive event.
Purchase Items
Collective Giving
Care Package Fund
Assemble Boxes
Purchase Items
Participants can visit our website for a list of eligible donation items with direct links for online and in-store purchases, sortable by item type or store preference.
For better organization, host should assign specific items (e.g., teas, chocolate, etc.) to participants by last name, grade, department, or via a random drawing. Alternatively, host can create a wishlist (e.g., on Amazon) with a set number of items for participants to choose from.
Giving clear, direct action steps yield the best results.
Collective Giving
Participants can contribute to Collective Giving via a host’s personal account (e.g., Venmo or Zelle) for a single donation. These funds can be used by the host to purchase needed items – don’t worry! we’ll help you find the best deals! – or applied towards becoming a Care Package Sponsor, a Book Sponsor.
Care Package Fund
Occasionally, we collect an abundance of one item but not enough of another, resulting in incomplete boxes. Participants can contribute to the Care Package Fund help fill these gaps, ensuring each box is fully stocked and complete. These donations help us purchase the missing items needed to provide a comprehensive care package for those in need..
Assemble Boxes
Participants can contribute their time to help packing the care packages with items. Assembly typically takes 1-3 hours, depending on volunteer turnout and collection size.
Here’s a simple assembly method:
- Set out the sorted items in a line (e.g., chocolate bars, journals, pillows).
- Fold the box, fill it by walking down the line, then close the box.