Polish Up & Towel Off: Silverware & Towel Drive
Description
Did you know that some families in eastern Massachusetts do not have any forks or spoons to eat with, or towels to dry themselves after a bath? We collect gently used silverware and towels and then give them to families, served by our many community partners, who do not have the money to buy these everyday essentials. We need kids to collect towels, and then sort them by size and fold them. We also need donations of forks, spoons and table knives, as well as kids' help to organize them into sets of 4, 6 and 8 so that they are ready for us to give to families that need our help.
What's Needed To Complete
1. Paper, along with a computer/printer or colored markers, to make flyers 2. Large plastic bags to collect towels 3. Cardboard boxes to collect silverware 4. Zipper plastic bags to make silverware sets
Whose Help Is Required
Class, troop, or other group of like-minded kids (some adult involvement is required to help with planning and drop off of collected items).
Special Requirements
None
How It Makes A Difference
In collecting these everyday essentials, you are helping to make life a little easier for families in transition. By conducting a towel drive, families will now have towels to use when they take a shower or bath and won't have to use their clothes to dry themselves. When you conduct a silverware drive, you are providing families with forks, spoons and knives so they can comfortably eat their meals in a cleaner and safer way. What a wonderful and easy way to help make life a little better!
Where to Serve
In-Person/On Site
Instructions
1. Make signs letting people know you are collecting silverware and/or towels for those in need. Indicate how long you are running your collection (we recommend at least two weeks) and where items should be dropped off. 2. Put the signs wherever you are allowed to do so and where lots of people are likely to see them. 3. Tell your families and friends about it, and ask for their help in both spreading the word and collecting the donated items that come in. (We recommend checking and cleaning out your donation boxes at least once if you will be collecting items for more than one week.) 4. Collect your donation boxes and organize the towel and/or silverware donations. 5. Make sets of silverware (4, 6 or 8 forks, spoons and knives) and place each set in a zippered bag. (Remember to be very careful handling the knives.) 6. Sort towels by size and fold. 7. Ask a parent or other grown-up to schedule an appointment to drop off or mail the sorted donations to Household Goods, 530 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720.
Location
Find us easily on the map!