Pick your project! There are a variety of volunteer activities to complete including family-friendly projects, with ranging price points.
Once you choose your project click on the Project Guide tab to get all the details for each project, including a list of what items go into each kit.
Volunteers will be responsible for collecting the necessary supplies to complete their project of choice as well as delivering the completed projects to United Way or one of the nonprofit organizations listed on the Project Guide.
Digital Notes of Encouragement
Share your appreciation for our community! There are many across our community who are working tirelessly on the front line serving and supporting our community during this challenging time. Take a moment to send a quick note of thanks, a video or photo and we will send it along to brighten someone’s day.
Give Thanks online at https://www.unitedwaysatx.org/thanksanantonio/
Estimate Cost: Free
Birthday Bags
Families who are struggling financially often give up luxuries like birthday cakes. Items such as disposable cake pans or even birthday candles cannot be purchased with food stamps. It’s very difficult for parents to tell their children that they can’t afford a birthday cake. Birthday bags are a simple way to make birthdays happy for these families. Completed bags will be distributed through shelters and non-profit partners.
Estimate Cost: $8 per birthday bag kit
Breakfast Bags
Many senior citizens are currently homebound and may lack access to regular, nutritious meals. One way volunteers can help is by making breakfast bags, which is a shelf stable meal option that ensures the senior has access to food over the weekend or in a time of crisis. This project is low cost and easy to do for volunteers of all ages!
Estimate cost: $2-3 per kit
Shoebox Project
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County is mobilizing our community to provide personal care and basic need items to our most vulnerable residents. United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County will collect decorated shoeboxes filled with personal care and basic need items from individuals, families and organizations in our community. Everyday items most of us take for granted, like toothbrushes, soap, or a comb can make a big difference for someone living in poverty or experiencing homelessness. During our current crisis these items have become requested more than ever from service organizations. Join our efforts to help those in need in our community. Donate a decorated shoebox filled with the requested personal care and basic need items.
Estimate Cost: $10-15
Care Cards
Spread positivity throughout San Antonio by donating handmade cards for seniors or families in shelters. After months of social distancing, many are experiencing loneliness from staying at home, unable to see their loved ones. Handmade “thinking of you” cards to be given to vulnerable community members who can benefit from your thoughtful words. Care cards are a family-friendly way to give the gift of a smile during difficult times. Made with an assortment of craft supplies, this project is low cost and family friendly!
Estimate Cost: $1-2 per card
Snack Packs
After a semester of completing school from home, students are now at home for the summer. During the school year, many families depend on school breakfast and lunch resources to feed their families during the week. COVID-19 has furthered the financial difficulties for families across San Antonio, increasing the need for shelf-stable food. Assemble Snack Packs to be distributed to children across San Antonio who are in need of additional food resources while they are at home and social distancing for the summer. Snack packs are gallon sized bag full of shelf-stable snack items to sustain local kids throughout the week and ensure the child has access to food in times of crisis.
Estimate cost: 3 – 5 per kit
Senior Activity Kit
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many seniors to feel isolated and lonely due to not being able to see their loved ones or engage in their normal daily activities. The Senior Activity Kit will provide local senior citizens with activities they can do from the safety of their home.
Estimate Cost: $5 per kit
Student Care Baskets
Support college students who have a history of foster care by providing them with the daily essentials to be self-sufficient. Care baskets will be provided to students enrolled in Supervised Independent Living Programs (SIL) at the University of Texas San Antonio, Texas A&M San Antonio, and the Alamo Colleges. All are Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Pilot Project partners. Remember what you needed when you moved into your first dorm or college apartment and/or all you sent your child off to college with? These young people in the foster care system do not have that support.
Estimate Cost: $50+
