Baby Item Drive

Step 1

Locate a maternity home or pregnancy help organization (PHO) in your area to send your donations and find 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 her needs!
2. Your local pregnancy help organization is always a great place to start when looking for a recipient of your item drive. If you don't know your local center, 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 an 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. 
2. Post flyers in high traffic areas.

Step 3

Ask for donations from local churches. 

1. Place an ad in the church bulletin.
2. Ask to make an announcement at the end of a Mass or church service.
3. Ask if you can set up a table at the church exits or if you can collect donations from parishioners exiting services.

Step 4

Leave ‘drop boxes’ in dorms and busy buildings.

1. Ask for permission to leave boxes where people can drop off diapers 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. Conservative groups
2. Social welfare groups
3. Christian groups

Step 6

Set up a Table.

1. Setup on busy days, during busy times. 
2. Basic needs: pens, signup sheet, candy (this is a cheap way to lure people in), flyer with group info (meeting details, contact information, website, etc.), something eye-catching (balloons, fetal models, stacks of diapers, etc.)
3. Setup in high traffic areas – in quad, in or near Student Center, in or near Bookstore, etc.
4. Make sure you use your Students for Life banner! Hang it in front of your table.
5. Table should not have any chairs – attendants should stand in front of table to appear more approachable and engage in conversation.
6. 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?”
7. 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.