Get Involved - Pay It Forward!
There are many ways to get involved with Santas Pantry and help to Pay It Forward. Obviously everyone is at different points financially but there are ways to help others without spending alot of money. Please notify us about your Pay it Forward project. We would love to include you on our web site!
Flowers
Take flowers from your garden to a nursing home. This means alot to people that are unable to get outside much.
"Pay It Forward"
Grocery Bags
Almost every charity/organization that helps with food or clothing, needs bags. Save your bags from when you go shopping and then donate them.
"Pay It Forward"
Mechanics
Rising gas prices make it hard for people to afford to even get to work sometimes. But when cars break down, it makes it almost impossible for some people. If you are able to work on cars, volunteer to help someone who is having car trouble. Maybe donate your time for the labor if they supply the parts.
"Pay It Forward"
Clothing
Donate your good used clothing to organizations that help clothe the needy. Guidance Ministries, Salvation Army,Single Moms Association and Faith Mission are a few organizations that would be happy to get your donations.
"Pay It Forward"
Plates and Silverware
It takes more then food to feed meals to people at local agencies. Plates, plastic silverware, cups and napkins are also needed. We are asking groups to hold drives for these items. Ask all your friends, family and neighbors to donate a package of silverware, plates, cups or napkins. Once you collect everything, donate the items to a local agency. If you want to donate the items to Guidance Ministries, please contact Santa's Pantry and we will be happy to pick up your donations and deliver them for you.
"Pay It Forward"
Neighborhood Shopper
With the rising cost of gas, several people are trying to reduce their driving. Talk to your neighbors and offer to pick up items for them at the grocery store on a certain day of the week. Or just call your neighbor when you are going to the store and offer to pick up something they may need.
"Pay It Forward"
Be Creative
Come up with your own way of helping others and Paying It Forward. Volunteer at local agencies that help others, visit people in a nursing home, help your neighbor with yard work, have a neighborhood carnival and donate the proceeds, anything. Something that may seem small to you could mean the world to someone else. Please Click Here to share your stories.
"Pay It Forward"
Sell It and Pass It Forward!
Santa's Pantry has volunteers that will help you set up a basic listing of items that you want to sell on Craigs List. This is run completely on the honor system and Pay It Forward principle. We will do the work and list the item and in exchange we ask that you give 25% of your profits from your sale to the food pantry at Guidance Ministries. You make money from your sale, you help others and your donation is tax deductible! Click Here for more details and to get started. "Pay It Forward"
Garden for a Cause
Parents - this is a great learning experience for the kids! Plant a garden. If you don't have room for a garden, either ask a friend that will let you use some of their yard or plant things in pots and place them on a balcony. Plant all kinds of vegetables, maybe even some that you don't like. This shows children how things grow. Then when it is time, pick everything, use some yourself to help cut grocery bills and take some to a local food pantry. Check back soon to see pictures of Santa's garden!! Please notify us if you do this so we can give you credit on our web site
"Pay It Forward"
Yard Sales
Many of us will be having yard sales this summer to make some extra money. Take a portion from what you make at your sale and buy food to donate to a food pantry or give it to an elderly person that is struggling to pay for perscriptions. Please notify us if you do this so we can keep track of food donated and also give you credit on our web site. "Pay It Forward"
Kids - "Adopt-A-Block For Santa"
We think this is another great learning experience for children
Hunger doesn't strike just at Christmas time. Santa's Pantry will be holding the huge fundraiser to collect food at that time in hopes of getting the pantry through one of their busiest times. But food drives can be done all during the year. Santa suggests that children (with the help of their parents) make fliers up saying something like: "My name is ___________ and I am ___________ years old. I'm participating in the Adopt-A-Block for Santa program with Santa's Pantry. I will be collecting non-perishable food items for the food pantry in Elkhart. Please leave your donation by your mailbox on __________ (date) and I will pick it up. Thank you for your support!"
Then pass out the fliers to the people in your neighborhood. Then one or two weeks later, on the day that you told people that you would pick up their donations, grab a wagon or wheelbarrow and with your parents, get the donations. Then call Santa's Pantry and we will pick it up and deliver it to the food pantry for you! "Pay It Forward"
Help for Elkhart Schools: Every year when school starts, students need supplies. Every year this is a struggle for some families and with the slow economy this year, it is going to be even harder for more people. Did you know that Elkhart has some schools where 80% or more of the students qualify for assistance with meals due to income levels? Generally supplies go on sale around August. Sometimes you can even find crayons for 10 cents a box or pencils or paper for a quarter. Santa's Pantry is asking you to take $5 and buy as much as you can to donate to the Elkhart School Administration. Elkhart schools have around 2300 students in first and second grades that need crayons. If crayons go on sale for 10 cents a box and you spend $5 on them, you will be able to donate 50 boxes! If 50 people did that, the children would all have crayons!! If delivering your donation to the Elkhart School Administration is a problem, Santa's Pantry will even pick up your donation and deliver it to Dr. Neet! We do ask that you notify us if you do this so we can keep track of the donations and also give you credit on our web site.
"Pay It Forward"
Santa Letters
Santa is getting his own P.O. Box here in Elkhart and he needs your help! We need adult (over 18) volunteers to help write letters. We also need someone that can translate Spanish for us. A sample letter will be provided. We will meet at the Main Branch of the Elkhart Public Library to write the letters. Volunteers must provide paper, envelopes and stamps.Email Us to volunteer
"Pay It Forward"
Group Collections
If you belong to any groups such as scouts, youth groups, math clubs, daycares, or even at your place of employment, organize a food drive and/or toy drive within your group. (Guidance Ministries is in need of new unwrapped toys for their Christmas program when they give roughly 5000 toys to children) Once you have collected the food/toys, call Santa's Pantry and we will pick it up and deliver it to Guidance Ministries!
* * all groups that participate in this will be given a special certificate, presented by Mrs. Claus! "Pay It Forward"
