What does your community need?
Could your local park use some improvements? Is your friend or neighbor in dire need of a helping hand? Has your favorite nonprofit fallen a bit behind on upkeep?
We want to know how we can work with you to link generous businesses and individuals with worthy community projects.
We're currently accepting project proposals and recruiting project managers.
To submit a project, click here.
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Here's a sampling of the life-changing work your investments provided in the first quarter of 2015.
"Ellie" has made amazing progress since fleeing an abusive situation with her two children. She has acquired a GED and job skills to help her develop independence and improved her parenting skills. Her hard work is paying off and she's working on moving into her own apartment.
This quarter, United Way funded programs provided career readiness services to 51 people like Ellie, helping them on the road to self-sufficiency.
Other results include:
- 2,536 children and youth worked with caring, supportive mentors. - 24,961 meals were provided to 1,285 seniors in Bismarck-Mandan to help maintain independence. - United Way volunteers packed and delivered over 4,500 backpacks to keep children from going hungry on the weekend. |
May 19 @ 11 a.m.
Super Talk 1270
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Each year, the National Association of Letter Carriers conducts the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Community members set out donations and letter carriers team up with friends, family and United Way volunteers to collect the goods.
Postal trucks brim with canned fruits and vegetables, soups, pasta, peanut butter, jelly and other nonperishable items as the much-needed items are collected. In 2014, 53,045 pounds of food was collected.
Here's how you can help:
1. Sign up to volunteer! Help sort donations for a 2-hour shift from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. or drive with the mail carriers and pick up the donated food in the morning. Call the United Way office at 255.3601 to find a time that works for you. 2. Simply put a bag of nonperishable foods by your mailbox on Saturday, May 9.
3. Become an advocate. Take to social media or talk to your family, friends and co-workers about the food drive. The annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will be held on Saturday, May 9. Letter carriers and United Way volunteers will be collecting nonperishable food items for local food pantries. Residents will be provided with a plastic bag, supplied by Dan's Supermarket. The filled bags can be placed next to mailboxes and will be picked up while the mail is being delivered.
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When it comes to eating, most of us face choices. Fortunately for most, the choice is what. Our cupboards overflow with options and countless possibilities exist at the 24-hour supermarkets or drive-thru restaurants a short trip away.
The fact is, one in five children in our community experience a much different reality. The question they often ask is when, not what.
It is this truth that inspired Lauryn Hinckley to start the Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive five years ago, and to partner with the United Way Backpack Program. "When I was 9-years-old, I witnessed a family not able to afford their groceries. I saw two little boys' faces drop and a look of embarrassment come over their mother in a busy checkout line. Up to that point, I had never considered the fact that you need money to get food."
We hear of this reality playing out far too often - stories of struggle from teacher, counselors and families. But more importantly, we hear stories about how the United Way Backpack Program is alleviating these issues. How struggling single parents have one less worry knowing their child has meals when school is out, and a young boy who was able to avoid embarrassment by bringing his own snack to school - he was so proud to say, " I brought my own snack".
These successes are made possible because of our community - businesses, individuals like you, and efforts like the Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive.
The event started out small. Hinckley, her family and friends collecting a few hundred jars of peanut butter and jelly. The items were stored and sorted in her grandparents garage. Today, the food drive has grown into a community-wide event with local businesses, organizations and individuals coming together.
Hinckley, a freshman at Century High School, is no ordinary teenager.
She is a testament to the value of our youth, and what can happen when you dare to take the first step toward positive change. The effort she started five years ago collected 5,851 pounds of peanut butter and jelly and raised more than $2,500 this year.
This significant donation will help to feed children, like those two boys in the checkout line and so many others, who face the unfortunate reality of hunger through the United Way Backpack Program.
Next time you're pondering what to eat for dinner, remember there are those in our community who are not fortunate enough to face that simple question.
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Thank you to all the generous businesses and individuals that donated and bid on items for the Online Auction. The auction was a huge success and we raised $10,500!
If you were a lucky winner, items can be picked up at the United Way office located at 515 N 4th St., Bismarck.
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