Fundraising Ideas
Everyone can play a part in helping us to reach the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals by raising funds for our work.
Not sure what you could do? Check out these tried-and-tested ideas:
Get sponsored
Need a challenge to get you more active? Whether you’re taking on a walk, cycle, swim, or running a marathon, ask friends and family to sponsor you for Mary’s Meals. Remember, you don’t need to be sporty to get sponsors – how about a silence, a fast, or a musical challenge?
The Big Blue Breakfast
Why not invite a few people round for a hearty porridge breakfast? You could offer a range of toppings, served on portions of your own home-cooked porridge, similar to likuni phala – the food we provide to children in Malawi – and collect donations in a Mary’s Meals Big Blue mug. To request a mug, just contact us.
The Big Blue mug isn’t just a moneybox, it’s a replica of the mugs used by children in Malawi for their daily meal and a symbol of our simple school feeding idea.
Front room film night
Having your friends over to watch a film may not sound like a money-maker, but if you prepare some snacks and ask for donations on entry, you could be surprised how much you’ll raise. For some added glitz, you could decorate your front room like a cinema or have a theme based on your favorite movie.
Meals around the world
You could host a ‘Meals around the World’ event, whether it’s a buffet at school or in your workplace, or a dinner party at home. Offer some international dishes and invite your guests to try them in return for a donation.
Give it up for Mary’s Meals
Why not use Mary’s Meals as your inspiration to kick a bad habit? Whatever you would usually spend on your vice can quickly add up, so whatever it is, give it up for Mary’s Meals!
Bakes and shakes
Everyone loves a cake sale. Succulent sponges and chocolate tray bakes are difficult to turn down, but why not offer a healthy choice by selling fruit shakes, too? Aprons on, sleeves up, and watch the donations roll in!
Dress down, clean up
Suggest your school or workplace has casual clothes day and charge everyone for the privilege. Or why not set a dress down theme and ask everyone to wear Mary’s Meals blue for the day?
Either way, you’ll be surprised how many hungry children your efforts will help.
Next Steps…
Once you’ve decided what to do, we’ve got lots of downloadable resources to help you plan and publicize your event or fundraising activities – visit our fundraising resources page.
If you need anything else to get your fundraising efforts going, email us or call us on 1-855-702-0330.
Cooking up support for Mary’s Meals
Ottawa-based chef Steve Mitten was delighted to be able share his culinary talents when he took part in a fundraising evening for us.
The restaurateur, and co-owner of Market Street Kitchen, made gourmet hotdogs for revellers at the ‘Beer, Barley and Food’ event at the Babylon Nightclub.
The event, which was organized by Steve’s good friend Jeff Fennell, raised more than $1,400, with all proceeds coming to Mary’s Meals.
Steve said: “When Jeff asked me to get involved I was really pleased. It is incredibly uplifting to know how many children will benefit from the evening. We had a great time too.”
Commemorate World Hunger Day at your school or work (any day in May) and raise funds to feed hungry children with Mary’s Meals. Download our Porridge Kit for event ideas.
Start your fundraising project today.