Plan Your Donation Drive:
Parish Toolkit
One simple way your parish can begin raising awareness of the needs of children in foster care is by organizing a donation drive.
Whether it’s backpacks for the start of school, self-care items for teens, or cozy pajamas at Christmas, a well-planned drive not only meets real, tangible needs but also helps parishioners recognize both the struggles and the dignity of children in care.
Ready to get started? We’ve gathered ideas and resources to help your parish plan its next drive.
Tips for Your Drive
Before the Drive
- Gather a Team: A donation drive is a simple project for a Springs of Love Chapter or another parish ministry. Recruit volunteers to handle planning, promotion, collection, and delivery—many hands make light work!
- Make a Plan: Decide on a theme (toiletries, clothing, school supplies, etc.) and choose a timeframe—anything from a month-long campaign to a single weekend. Secure a central, easy-to-find location at your parish for collecting items.
- Define Your Goals: Be specific about what you’re collecting. Instead of just “toiletries,” list items like toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo. If you’re partnering with a local foster agency, check what items are most needed. If your parish is starting its own foster closet, prioritize essentials that will be used right away.
- Involve Parish Groups: Ask other ministries (youth group, Knights of Columbus, women’s group, etc.) to partner with you. They can help spread the word, recruit donors, and assist with collecting or delivering donations.
During the Drive
- Promote Consistently: Use parish bulletins, social media, announcements after Mass, and posters around the church. Email your flyer to parishioners. Be sure to include clear instructions on what, when, and where to donate.
- Create Momentum: Share progress updates (“We’ve collected 20 backpacks—let’s reach 50 by next week!”) to keep people motivated and aware of deadlines.
- Make Donating Simple: Provide a clear list of items and have volunteers available after Mass or at parish events to accept donations. Easy access = higher participation. If some parishioners don’t have time to shop, invite them to make a cash donation so your team can purchase needed items directly.
- Engage Your Parish: Share stories or stats about the impact these items can have for children in foster care. Remind people that their generosity is making a real difference.
After the Drive
- Deliver Items: Coordinate with your chosen agency or organization to ensure donations get where they’re needed most.
- Show Gratitude: Thank parishioners, ministries, and volunteers publicly (bulletin, social media, or a note at Mass) and send personal thank-yous to key helpers.
- Stay Connected: Follow up with the agency to learn how the donations were used. Share these updates with your parish—it’s a powerful way to show the fruit of their generosity and to inspire future participation.
Sample Bulletin Announcement
Back-to-School Supply Drive for Children in Foster Care
As the new school year approaches, many children in foster care face the challenge of starting classes without the supplies they need to succeed. Our parish is collecting new backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, folders, and other school essentials throughout the month of August.
Collection bins will be available in the parish hall beginning Sunday, August 4. All donations will go directly to local foster families and agencies to ensure children start the year prepared and confident.
No time to shop? We’re also accepting cash donations to purchase additional supplies for kids in need!
Thank you for your generosity in helping these children know they are seen, loved, and supported by their parish family!
For more information or a full supply list, please contact [insert parish contact person/office number].
Download or print the PDF to start brainstorming ideas for your next donation drive.
Social Media Announcement
Back-to-School Supply Drive!
This August, we’re collecting backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, and more for children in foster care. Drop off donations in the parish hall starting August 4 and help kids start the year prepared and confident!
#BackToSchool #CatholicsFoster #SpringsOfLove #ParishLife #CommunityCare
An eye-catching flyer with the “when, where, and what” of your donation drive — like this sample flyer for a “Self-Care Drive” — can be hung around church, sent through email, included in your church bulletin, or posted on social media. Use our Canva template to get started.
