A how-to-guide for giving back to the children of Bellevue.
Giving back is a great way to spend time with your family, friends and community members. Not only is it a meaningful use of your time but it’s a great way to connect with others while raising awareness about the need in the Bellevue community. Next time you want to host your friends, make an impact and host a day of service creating snack packs for local children in need.
Snack packs are individually packaged, kid-friendly snacks that Bellevue LifeSpring gives to children that miss breakfast at local schools. Currently, one in five children in Bellevue are living in poverty. Snack packs are given to these children to help them focus in the classroom or during breaks from school – when they no longer have access to free and reduced priced meal programs.
Hosting a snack pack drive is easy! Below you will find a few simple steps and ideas on how to collect and donate snacks packs.
Organize and collect – First you must decide where and when you will collect snacks, along with the time and duration of the drive. Will your drive be for one day? Or, is the collection ongoing over a period of time? Here are a few different ways you can organize a collection:
- Contact friends, family and community to support your drive.
- Set up collection boxes at local businesses, your work place, faith centers, etc.
- Contact your local grocery store and ask permission to set up a table outside to collect donations as people shop. Give shoppers the list below and try a busy Saturday when lots of people are out shopping.
- Host a snack packing get together where each guest is in charge of bringing donated snacks to be assembled into packs and donated.
Snack examples:
- Applesauce
- Nut Free Granola bars or trail mix
- Goldfish crackers
- Pretzels
- Fruit snacks
- Apple or banana chips
- Sunflower seeds
- Cereal
- Water or juice
*We are unable to accept donations of expired food.
Don’t forget to spread the word – Sharing that you are hosting a collection drive with others is a great way to gather more donations, boost energy surrounding your event or even inspire others to follow in your footsteps. You can use social media, email or even create a flyer to pass out or hang at local businesses.
Assemble and personalize – Once you have successfully collected the snacks it’s time to pack them in brown paper bags. Add a personal touch to the snack packs and create a colorful card that has a positive message written on it and attach it to the bag. When hosting a snack pack get together, with your family and friends, cards are a fun and meaningful addition.
Bellevue LifeSpring is here to help! If you have more questions about hosting a drive, or would like a customized poster or other drive materials, please contact us at info@bellevuelifespring.org.
Donations can be delivered to our office on the third floor of Bellevue Square, to the left of Thrift Culture. If you have a large donation, let us know in advance and we are happy to meet you at our will call location and transport the items of our office.
Connect with us: Documenting your snack pack drive is a great way to spread awareness about the need here in Bellevue. Take pictures or videos and share them on social media – don’t forget to tag us @bellevuelifespring!
