A quarter can add up to a lot of change.
As 2022 draws to a close, it seems everyone sets their sights on resolutions and goals. While most fail to hit the mark, with careful planning and a clear direction the chances of success greatly improves.
Much like our individual lives, nonprofit organizations and charities need to plan ahead with a clear vision for the future. One way to capture the enthusiasm of donors and supporters is through a campaign of donation drives built around existing events, holidays, and special occasions.
With that in mind, let’s take a walk through the first quarter of 2023 and connect the dots between special days and possible campaigns.
January
National Soup Month lands in the first month of the year, with National Bean Day on January 6, 2023. Food banks rely heavily on the support of individual donors, and so do many nonprofits and charitable organizations that reach into the community to support those experiencing food insecurity. As staple products, warm and flavorful soup and all types of beans open up a world of culinary opportunities, bringing sustenance and a fresh taste to mealtime.
An added opportunity awaits organizations focused on health and well-being. During the soup and beans food drives, consider an emphasis on purchasing low-sodium products while providing education and awareness about the impacts of sodium on an individual’s diet.
Changing pace from a food drive, January 8, 2023, is National Winter Skin Relief Day. Individuals with limited access to disposable income are more likely to suffer from dry, irritated, and cracked skin during the winter months, especially those experiencing homelessness in drier climates. Consider running a hygiene kit drive with an emphasis on lip balm, warm socks, and moisturizing lotions to help our most vulnerable.
Finally in January, warm the tummies of those in need by connecting a drive to National Blueberry Pancake Day on January 28 and National Hot Chocolate Day on January 31, 2023. Everyone appreciates the warmth and comfort of a special meal or warm drink so consider a drive connected to pancake mix and hot chocolate as a sweet treat during these winter months, sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
February
More than ever as the economy and demographics undergo unprecedented shifts, seniors are finding themselves in greater need than ever. The Coalition on Human Needs reports that more than 7 million seniors rely on food pantries and community meals to help make ends meet. February 26, 2023, is National Letter to an Elder Day – a day to honor letter writing to send love and fight the loneliness many seniors experience. What a great opportunity to connect a drive to fighting loneliness by connecting people through letters of encouragement and practical support by building a food drive for your community, county, or state! Running a grocery gift card drive for seniors is also another way to encourage donors to help seniors reduce the costs (and stress) of everyday expenses.
February 14, 2023, brings us once again to Valentine’s Day, a day to feel loved and comforted. In the depth of winter, who doesn’t want to cozy up in pair of warm pajamas? Organizing a successful pajama drive can bring warmth and comfort to someone during these winter months. Consider sharing your care of the community through an organized pajama, slipper, and sock drive.
March
The month of March kicks off with National Read Across America Day on the 2nd, though schools will embrace the day on Monday, March 3, 2023, allowing all students to participate. Building a book drive that includes specific books, a stuffed animal, and a blanket makes a great reading package to provide anyone spanning the ages from childhood to seniors.
As we saw in January, there’s something comforting about a bowl of hot soup. March brings soup back to the table with National Soup it Forward Day on March 3, 2023. This day was established to deliver love and kindness by the bowl. This offers the renewed opportunity to share information about low-sodium soup options while developing a food drive to help those in need during the winter months be filled with warmth and comfort.
March 7, 2023, celebrates National Cereal Day. One of the staples in donation boxes across the U.S., consider establishing a dedicated cereal drive, coupled with education and information about healthier cereal choices rather than the sugar-laden boxes of breakfast foods that do little to build the health and well-being of those in need. Families that access services will be blessed to have healthy options to nurture the growth and development of their children while experiencing reduced stress during times of food insecurity. A targeted food drive focused on healthy cereals would be a welcome change from a general food drive almost everyone encounters.
March 15, 2023, highlights the importance of footwear with National Shoe the World Day. More than 500 million people worldwide go without footwear despite the climate or terrain that causes injuries, sores, and infections. With many places restricting access to those without footwear, seeking support and assistance can be hindered, causing the cycle to continue. Developing a drive for shoes, like this one set up by RSUI School Support. with the support of Roonga can help change the lives of people around the world.
March 20, 2023, is National Oral Health Day. No matter the stage in life, oral health is vital and impacts nearly every aspect of life from the ability to eat a meal to their own self-confidence. This year, celebrate National Oral Health Day by establishing a hygiene kit drive for oral health packs that include a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouth rinse.
Maximize Your Fundraising Campaigns
Leveraging special days and events are new ways to market and educate donors on your in-kind needs. But this doesn’t have to mean more work for your staff. At Roonga, nonprofit organizations and charity groups can harness the buying power of our team to purchase quality products, maximizing the impact of your drive. Our online platform allows organizations and groups to stretch their presence beyond their community while centralizing the reach to a single online point for donations. We are privileged to help expand traditional drives and campaigns through our proven platform and we look forward to partnering with you to help change lives.