Opportunities From: United Way of Central Iowa

Engage your group in a volunteer activity that can be done safely from anywhere

Literacy Kits are used at early childhood centers and schools throughout central Iowa to help students in kindergarten through fifth grade learn and love to read.

Why You Should Choose Literacy Kits

Our Literacy Kits were designed by experts to focus on the skills young children need when learning to read while, at the same time, diving deeper into the book and its themes.

Each Literacy Kit includes:

A children's book Several related activities perfect for interaction and imagination Instructions for the reading mentor A personal note of encouragement from the volunteer to the child How Literacy Kits Work

If you would like to purchase literacy kits as an activity for your group, the first step is to contact us.

Next, we will help you decide which book title you would like to purchase and how many kits you need. The cost is $8 per kit. This covers the cost of the book and the materials needed to make a kit. On average, volunteers can make one to two kits per hour.

We have the following books available for purchase:

A is for All the Things New Kid The Name Jar The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes The Girl with a Mind for Math

If you would like to see more details on these titles, please visit LITERACY KITS | United Way of Central Iowa (unitedwaydm.org)

Then, we arrange the pickup of your materials (or we can deliver). 

You and your volunteers then complete the Literacy Kit activity on-site at your business, home, church, school, club, etc. You can choose the timeframe for the activity, as well. We have an ongoing need for the kits. 

Next, you return the completed kits to United Way. Then we distribute them to nonprofits, child care centers, and after-school programs. 

Sign Up for Literacy Kits!

To sign up for this volunteer opportunity, please visit LITERACY KITS | United Way of Central Iowa (unitedwaydm.org). To make the volunteer experience as easy and convenient, United Way offers an online volunteer sign-up. 

For additional questions, contact Sarah Underwood, Volunteer Engagement Manager at sarah.underwood@unitedwaydm.org or 515-246-2504.

Hygiene poverty can reduce student attendance

Hygiene Drive Guide

Every child deserves access to hygiene supplies. Hygiene poverty is defined as an inability to afford everyday hygiene products, such as shampoo, toilet paper, grooming products, dish soap, etc.  While the root of hygiene poverty is the lack of access to basic toiletries, its effects are made much worse by  “hygiene shaming”. If the shame a child feels because they can’t afford to be clean is not bad enough, the shame and distress piled on top by insensitive peers can have a terrible impact, not just on their ability to learn but on their entire mental wellbeing. Hardships can include:

Inability to take a shower with shampoo, conditioner, and soap Using an old toothbrush or not having toothpaste Cleaning clothes less often (or with water only) due to lack of laundry detergent Fear of leaving home during your period because your makeshift solutions leak and could embarrass you

 There is a never-ending need for these supplies, so set a goal that seems reasonable for your team.

Shampoo Conditioner Soap Toothbrushes Toothpaste Deodorant Laundry detergent Hair products Feminine hygiene products Floss Face wash/acne cream

 

Contact Jen Stadler at 515-242-8394 or jennifer.stalder@dmschools.org for more information or to plan your delivery. 

Hygiene poverty can reduce student attendance

Hygiene Drive Guide

Every child deserves access to hygiene supplies. Hygiene poverty is defined as an inability to afford everyday hygiene products, such as shampoo, toilet paper, grooming products, dish soap, etc.  While the root of hygiene poverty is the lack of access to basic toiletries, its effects are made much worse by  “hygiene shaming”. If the shame a child feels because they can’t afford to be clean is not bad enough, the shame and distress piled on top by insensitive peers can have a terrible impact, not just on their ability to learn but on their entire mental wellbeing. Hardships can include:

Inability to take a shower with shampoo, conditioner, and soap Using an old toothbrush or not having toothpaste Cleaning clothes less often (or with water only) due to lack of laundry detergent Fear of leaving home during your period because your makeshift solutions leak and could embarrass you

 There is a never-ending need for these supplies, so set a goal that seems reasonable for your team.

Shampoo Conditioner Soap Toothbrushes Toothpaste Deodorant Laundry detergent Hair products Feminine hygiene products Floss Face wash/acne cream

Hygiene poverty can reduce student attendance

Hygiene Drive Guide

Every child deserves access to hygiene supplies. Hygiene poverty is defined as an inability to afford everyday hygiene products, such as shampoo, toilet paper, grooming products, dish soap, etc.  While the root of hygiene poverty is the lack of access to basic toiletries, its effects are made much worse by  “hygiene shaming”. If the shame a child feels because they can’t afford to be clean is not bad enough, the shame and distress piled on top by insensitive peers can have a terrible impact, not just on their ability to learn but on their entire mental wellbeing. Hardships can include:

Inability to take a shower with shampoo, conditioner, and soap Using an old toothbrush or not having toothpaste Cleaning clothes less often (or with water only) due to lack of laundry detergent Fear of leaving home during your period because your makeshift solutions leak and could embarrass you

 There is a never-ending need for these supplies, so set a goal that seems reasonable for your team.

Shampoo Conditioner Soap Toothbrushes Toothpaste Deodorant Laundry detergent Hair products Feminine hygiene products Floss Face wash/acne cream

Hygiene poverty can reduce student attendance

Hygiene Drive Guide

Every child deserves access to hygiene supplies. Hygiene poverty is defined as an inability to afford everyday hygiene products, such as shampoo, toilet paper, grooming products, dish soap, etc.  While the root of hygiene poverty is the lack of access to basic toiletries, its effects are made much worse by  “hygiene shaming”. If the shame a child feels because they can’t afford to be clean is not bad enough, the shame and distress piled on top by insensitive peers can have a terrible impact, not just on their ability to learn but on their entire mental wellbeing. Hardships can include:

Inability to take a shower with shampoo, conditioner, and soap Using an old toothbrush or not having toothpaste Cleaning clothes less often (or with water only) due to lack of laundry detergent Fear of leaving home during your period because your makeshift solutions leak and could embarrass you

 There is a never-ending need for these supplies, so set a goal that seems reasonable for your team.

Shampoo Conditioner Soap Toothbrushes Toothpaste Deodorant Laundry detergent Hair products Feminine hygiene products Floss Face wash/acne cream

Visit here to write a note of encouragement.  Writing a positive message to someone can improve more than their mood — it can change their outlook on life right now.

United Way of Central Iowa is committed to supporting those in our community who have been impacted by COVID-19 and those who may be impacted by unforeseen economic conditions. Show people in central Iowa how much you care and how much they matter by writing a note — or more — of encouragement. 

United Way will share your messages with our nonprofit partners who are serving the individual people and families in the categories you have to choose from in the form to the right, including healthcare, nonprofit frontline workers providing food and basic needs, seniors in care facilities who can't see family, and kids whose school and out-of-school programming are new and different. These people need the time and positivity you have to give. They need your encouragement right now.

How to Volunteer for this Opportunity

Write a quick note to thank and encourage people in your community — your neighbors, friends or maybe even your co-workers — who are helping to keep our community safe during this time, or to someone vulnerable in the community who may have fallen on hard times, or is feeling isolated and lonely. You can submit a note online using our virtual note form on this page.

Here are a sample messages to help get you started:

You’re one of a kind. Thank you for keeping our community safe! Today is a day for telling others that you care. And I care about you! You are important. You are enough.  It's easy to feel alone during the pandemic, but know that even when our community can't be together in person, we are together in spirit. We are here with you.