4 Ideas Friday

Opening doors with promotional jar openers
From cooking to cleaning to getting dressed, vision loss greatly affects many of the everyday tasks we take for granted. New Vision for Independence in Leesburg, Fla., helps clients adapt to life with vision loss, educates the community and provides support services. Each year, the center provides services to 150 to 200 people of all ages. With their one by one grant, New Vision for Independence ordered jar openers imprinted with the saying ‘Helping you get a grip on vision loss.’ Not only did this nonprofit promotional product help reinforce their message, but it also served as a valuable kitchen tool for their clients.

Fighting childhood hunger
When school is out for the summer, it’s harder for struggling families in Missouri to feed their families. Aside from not having access to school lunches, a summertime drop in donations often results in empty shelves at local food pantries. The Community Council of St. Charles County in Missouri works to help fill the food pantries and feed those families who need it most. With their one by one grant, the council ordered Lightweight Value Visors in lime green for volunteers at their annual Shop Out Hunger Food Drive. The brightly colored visors made their volunteers visible and served as great volunteer appreciation gifts. The food drive brought in more than 31,000 pounds of food for 20 pantries and raised more than $4,000!

Helping those with disabilities live independently 
Emmaus Homes, near St. Louis, Mo., supports community members with cognitive, intellectual and other developmental disabilities so they may live independently. At the home, clients get help with personal care, educational opportunities, spiritual support and recreational activities. Every year, they hold a fundraising event that features vendors, cooking classes and more. With their one by one grant, Emmaus Homes ordered branded totes and filled them with giveaways from all the vendors at their annual event. Through their one by one grant for nonprofit promotional items, Emmaus Homes saved money on event costs, allowing even more funds to go toward their programs.