Needs From: United Way of the National Capital Area

Education is essential to unlocking a student’s potential and achieving financial success. However, for many families in DC and surrounding areas, the cost of buying school supplies can be a significant burden, especially with the economic impact. United Way NCA’s Stuff the Bus campaign aims to provide backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to students who need them most. This year, we will be packing to support students at our community schools. 

Join us as we prepare for our ultimate backpack kit packing event.

Our Warehouse Wizards are the first in a series of inventory and quality managers who are responsible for ensuring we have all of the supplies we need for a successful event. Individuals who serve in this role will support the break down of pallets worth of backpack supplies, so should be comfortable lifting boxes of up to 50 pounds, either unassisted or with another volunteer. During this shift, we will move all of our supplies from the storage area in the print shop to the event space at United Way Worldwide then do a thorough inventory of all supplies. 

This is a great opportunity to be part of the initiative in a role that is vital to providing support and resources to our community school partners. 

Shift Details

This volunteer opportunity will occur at United Way Worldwide's headquarters in Alexandria, VA. Limited parking is available in their surface lot as well as on the street and there is a bus stop right out front. If possible, we highly recommend carpooling or utilizing public transportation. When you arrive, you will be asked to sign-in at their reception area. We will begin promptly at 10 am with an orientation to the tasks and goals for the volunteer shift. 

Please wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes appropriate for a warehouse-type environment. We will be sorting and moving boxes, so you may get dirty and dusty. We recommend bringing water or refreshments as needed. There are bottle refill stations available to refill your water bottle. 

Education is essential to unlocking a student’s potential and achieving financial success. However, for many families in DC and surrounding areas, the cost of buying school supplies can be a significant burden, especially with the economic impact. United Way NCA’s Stuff the Bus campaign aims to provide backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to students who need them most. This year, we will be packing over 400 backpacks to support students at our community schools. 

Materials Masters are the key to ensuring a smooth and efficient kit pack - after all, packing supplies in less than two hours is no easy feat! This volunteer role is perfect for those who love opening packages, sorting and packing. Our goal in this volunteer shift is to get all of the supplies ready and kit pack on Wednesday. 

For this role, volunteers should be comfortable carrying boxes up to 50 pounds alone or in a team-lift. You will be a vital step in the event preparation, playing a necessary role in ensuring we can get the backpacks packed and distributed efficiently. 

Shift Details

This volunteer opportunity will occur at United Way Worldwide's headquarters in Alexandria, VA. Limited parking is available in their surface lot as well as on the street and there is a bus stop right out front. If possible, we highly recommend carpooling or utilizing public transportation. When you arrive, you may be asked to sign-in at their reception area. We will begin the activity once everyone has checked-in for the opportunity. Save time and check-in to record your time via the Causer app.  

Please wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes appropriate for a warehouse-type environment. We will be sorting and moving boxes, so you may get dirty and dusty. We will have scissors, box cutters, and other supplies necessary for sorting and unboxing. We recommend bringing water or refreshments as needed. There are bottle refill stations available to refill your water bottle. 

Education is essential to unlocking a student’s potential and achieving financial success. However, for many families in DC and surrounding areas, the cost of buying school supplies can be a significant burden. United Way NCA’s Stuff the Bus campaign aims to provide backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to students who need them most. 

Our Backpack Dispersal Squad has one of the greatest roles of the event, not only do you help us put the Mary Gates Learning Center back together again, but you also get to be the one to meet our Community School Coordinators as they come to pick-up the completed backpacks allocated to their schools. This role involves some heavy lifting and loading, so volunteers should be comfortable lifting and walking with up to 30 pounds unassisted. It's a great way to make a difference and get your day's workout in at the same time. 

Shift Details

This volunteer opportunity will occur at United Way Worldwide's headquarters in Alexandria, VA. Limited parking is available in their surface lot as well as on the street and there is a bus stop right out front. If possible, we highly recommend carpooling or utilizing public transportation. When you arrive, you may be asked to sign-in at their reception area.

Please wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes appropriate for the event. Volunteers in this role will generally be standing for the entire shift and should be comfortable bending and lifting up to 30 pounds unassisted. We recommend bringing water or refreshments as needed. There are bottle refill stations available to refill your water bottle.  If you require accommodations, please reach out to volunteer@uwnca.org prior to the event.