Opportunities From: Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Northern New Jersey

This is the perfect volunteer activity for any corporate group looking for an on-site (or offsite!) team-building project!  Come together to create Disaster Preparedness kits for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families and individuals at risk (e.g. seniors, adults with disabilities, etc.).

Volunteers will pack drawstring backpacks with some key essentials to help families and individuals be better prepared for a disaster.  Items include:

- blanket or tied pillow

- small flashlight

- extra batteries

- a contact list with key information

- non-perishable snack items

- a bottle of water

- water treatment packets 

- a whistle 

- personal care items (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap)

- small first aid kit

- colored pencils

- mandalas coloring book

We will coordinate with your team to arrange for supplies for your assembly project.  Ideally, we would like this done during September, which is National Disaster Preparedness month.

Projects in a Box Menu 

All of United Way of Northern New Jersey’s projects-in-a-box/kit build pricing includes the purchasing and coordination of all the supplies, transportation/delivery of items to the location of your choice, set up and break down, one or more staff members to explain the significance of the project and the impact on the recipients and to lead the event, and transportation/pick up of the finished items to the recipient program/agency. Please see our list of projects below with cost per kit and recommendations of amounts based on a standard, 1.5-2-hour project. Please note that prices are provided as quotes and that actual prices may vary depending on the needs of your group. 

Please note that for most projects, a minimum 3 week lead time is needed to allow for the ordering of supplies. 

Reading Buddy Bags/Literacy Kits - Encourage a love of reading by building stuffed animal “Reading Buddies” and packing new books for 3-5-year-old students. Please ask about options to brand your buddies or include them in a bag with an age-appropriate book for an early learner.  $17 per kit

Up to 15 people: 30+ 

16-30 people:  60+

31-50 people:  100+

Teacher Classroom Survival - Assemble supply boxes for United In Care or UWNNJ partner school classrooms. Boxes would include pens, pads, correction stickers, band-aids, sanitizer, tissues, etc. $12 per kit

Up to 15 people:  50+

16-30 people:  100+

31-50 people:  150+

Personal Care Kits - Provide essential toiletry items for ALICE families and those experiencing poverty or housing insecurity. Kits will include items such as soap, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitizer, razors, deodorant, and washcloths. $15 per kit

Up to 15 people:  50+

16-30 people:  100+

31-50 people:  150+

Snack Packs - Many students leave school without enough food to eat at home. Provide students snack packs for ALICE and struggling students in our community. Your team would assemble small packages of healthy snacks and food such as milk/juice boxes, granola bars, pretzels, crackers, and applesauce, all in a bag decorated by you! $10-15 per kit

Up to 15 people:  50+

16-30 people:  75+

31-50 people:  125+

Financial Literacy Kits—Volunteers will assemble classroom kits for teachers/volunteers to easily facilitate a fun financial workshop for K-2 students. Each kit includes a ceramic piggy bank to paint and decorate, mini-books or activity cards. and crayons. The mini-books can be printed with the sponsor’s logo on the back. $10 per kit

Up to 15 people:  40+

16-30 people:  80+

31-50 people:  130+

Confidence Kits: Feminine Hygiene items for ALICE and low-income students and other girls and women experiencing “period poverty,” a widespread issue. $12 per kit

Up to 15 people:  50+

16-30 people:  100+

31-50 people:  150+

Baby Basics Bags —Volunteers pack baby care items for new and expectant parents who are struggling financially.  Baskets may include some of the following:  baby wash, shampoo, lotion, pacifier, pack of diapers, wipes, bottles, nail clippers, diaper cream, a blanket, washcloths/towel, rattles, toys. $30 per kit

Up to 15 people:  30+

16-25 people:  75+

26-50 people:  100+

Night-Night Bags—Volunteers will stuff a plush animal and put together a bag of comforting nighttime items (a book, toothbrush and toothpaste, and an activity) for very young children who enter a shelter for the first time.  $20 per bag

Up to 15 people: 30+ 

16-30 people:  60+

31-50 people:  100+

Military Support - Organize a letter-writing campaign for veterans or active duty servicemen and women. Invite individuals who have previously served in the military or have family members who have served to lead the campaign. 

Up to 15 people:  $100

16-30 people:  $150

31-50 people:  $200

Growing Minds STEM Kits —Volunteers will decorate drawstring bags and assemble STEM learning kits for early learners.  Each kit will include a small seed-starter pot, soil, seeds, instructions and a plant/growing related paperback book. $12 per kit

Up to 15 people:  40+

16-30 people:  80+

31-50 people:  130+

Bright Smiles Dental Kits – Help put a smile on the face of a child. Volunteers create dental supply kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, small kids mouthwash) for children from families in need. Supplies can be placed in large zip-lock bags for ease in distribution. $9 per kit 

Up to 15 people:  50+

16-30 people:  75+

31-50 people:  125+

Top of Form

I am interested in a Project in a Box!