Baby Item Drive Event Guide

Step 1:

Find a local maternity home or PHO to donate to and figure out what they need.

1. If there is a pregnant or parenting student on your campus, you can set up an anonymous item drive for their needs!
2. On the other hand, your local PHO or maternity home is always a great place to start when looking for a recipient of your item drive. If you don't know your local centers, Optionline.org will give you a list of centers in your area. 
3. Tell the center about your event and ask what they need most.
4. Create a list of items. It may be easier for a center to put together an Amazon wish list of what they need. This is a good option, too.

Step 2:

Post flyers around campus.

1. Create a flyer for the item drive and include either a list of supplies or a link to an Amazon wish list so that people know what to buy and where to donate.
2. Post these flyers in high traffic areas around school.

Step 3:

Ask for donations from local churches. 

1. Call local churches (including those that your members may attend) and request to... 

1.  
   • Place an ad for the item drive in the church bulletin. 
   • Make an announcement at the end/before the beginning of service. 
   • Set up a table at the church exits to collect donations from parishioners exiting. 
   • Leave a ‘drop box’ for donations to be picked up later.

Step 4:

Leave ‘drop boxes’ in dorms and busy buildings.

1. Ask your school’s permission to leave large boxes where people can drop off items in busy buildings, like the bookstore, library, cafeteria, etc. 
2. Be sure to note on flyers where the ‘drop boxes’ are located. 
3. Assign someone to place the boxes and check them regularly for donations. 

Step 5:

Invite other like-minded campus groups to participate.

1. This may include politically conservative groups, social welfare groups, religious groups— but anyone should really want to help support moms and their babies.

Step 6:

Set up a Table.

1. If needed, ask your administration for permission to table on campus. Choose high traffic areas during high traffic hours; if possible, table more than once.
2. Make sure you use your Students for Life banner! Hang it in front of your table. 
3. Bring pens, a sign-up sheet, flyers with your group information (meeting details, contact information, website, etc.), and something eye-catching. Balloons, fetal models, stacks of diapers, and candy are a great way to get people to come up to your table.
4. Don’t bring chairs! Your table attendants should stand in front of the table to appear more approachable and engage in conversation. 
5. Actively solicit. Don’t wait for someone to approach – make eye contact with people who walk past and smile to create a welcoming feel. Explain what it is you’re doing by giving a quick pitch: “Hi, we’re collecting items for pregnant and parenting students. Would you like to help us support them by donating an item?” 
6. Make sure to get the contact information for anyone who donates so that you can send a ‘thank you’ and don’t forget to sign them up for your email list. 
7.