Mission
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'” Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together to serve their neighbors and communities. Americans come together on MLK Day and throughout the year to serve. In fact, Congress designated MLK Day as the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service. The day calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing problems.
The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.” That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. The MLK Food Drive addresses both by addressing food insecurity and giving people hope.
The reality of the United States today, is that more than 16 million of our most vulnerable residents are food insecure. Providing food assistance is one-way communities can improve all people’s access to healthy food.
The Quad Cities Disability Awareness Coalition represents organizations that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We know that people with disabilities have a lot to offer their community, and can give back in a variety of ways.
The Arc and the Quad Cities Disability Coalition is proud to be a part of the MLK Food Drive that supports volunteers with and without disabilities to serve their community and people in need. This project is an opportunity to redefine what people with disabilities are capable of when given the occasion to serve because we are all at our best when we serve others.
Written and Spoken
These are the points that we should be consistently talking and writing about with the MLK Food Drive.
Our goal with the Martin Luther King Jr. Food Drive is to support people with disabilities to give back to their community while addressing food insecurity.
Mention your organization is a part of the Disability Awareness Coalition, you can mention a few drop off locations that your organization is covering, mention the dates of the MLK Food Drive, April 12 – 26, and how to access the list of drop-off locations by texting “1” to 309-248-5900.
The Quad Cities Disabilities Awareness Coalition is a volunteer group dedicated to raising awareness and increasing the inclusion of people with disabilities in the Quad Cities. This project offers solutions to addressing food insecurity through inclusive volunteer programs at a critical time and creates a more welcoming and equitable community for everyone. The Disability Awareness Coalition is creating new community partnerships and increasing the community’s ability to reach new service areas.
People with disabilities will be picking up and helping to redistribute donations to local food pantries.
See Comprehensive Press Release
PSA
Social Media
Having cohesive social media posts will help our audiences see who is participating in the food drive and promote unity between our partners.
Hashtags
Facebook and Instagram: Use #MLKDayofService and #QCDAC
The MLK Day of Service Grant follows #MLKDayOfService.
We can find each other’s posts easily using #QCDAC and repost each other’s stuff, whether in stories on Instagram and Facebook or in posts on any platform.
Posts
See links for informational images formatted for Facebook and Instagram with members’ logos. We also have some post borders that you can put on your own images.
Examples of Posts
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If you would like us to combine the frames and photos for you, feel free to email Kendra Bries at development@arcqca.org and she can combine them for you.
To save the images, click on the link. When the image opens, right click and select ‘save as’. This should save the photo to your computer for future use.
| QC Disabilities Awareness Coalition
Aktion Club The Arc of the Quad Cities Iowa Camp Courageous Davenport Parks and Recreation EveryChild Gigi’s Playhouse Hand in Hand |
HDC
Individual Advocacy Group IL/IA Center for Independent Living New Kingdom Tailriders Project Search Special Olympics Illinois Special Olympics Iowa Scott County The Quad Cities Sled Hockey Association |
Cover Image
We have also provided a cover photo that you can use on your organization’s Facebook page. Instead of each members’ logo, we put the coalition’s logo on it.
Drop-Off List
This is the list of drop-off sites. It can also be viewed at arcqca.org/drop-off/. A QR Code linking to the site is provided with this toolkit along with an Instagram/Facebook post (in a zip file) that lists the locations.
A phone line has been set up so people can get the drop-off location list sent to them. Text “1” to 309-248-5900 to get a link to the list on The Arc of the Quad Cities Area’s website.
A flier has been provided for you to hang on your organization’s door to identify you as a participating member.
Illinois:
Coal Valley
East Moline
Milan
Moline
Rock Island
Silvis
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Iowa:
Bettendorf
Davenport
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Fliers
There are multiple fliers provided in different sizes in both .png and .pdf formats. Feel free to print them off if needed.
PNG Format
PDF Format