United Way of Southeast Missouri holding United Day of Caring Food Drive in June

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – June 21 is United Day of Caring, a global event.

United Way of Southeast Missouri (UWSEMO) is launching its first annual Workplace Wonder Competition that comes with a traveling trophy.

United Way is challenging community members and participating businesses, or “Workplace Wonders,” to collect nonperishable, nonexpired food items in a community-wide food drive.

Workplace Wonders are asked to encourage their clients and customers to participate.

UWSEMO will kick off the food drive on June 7 at the United Way WINSday Cape Catfish game against Danville. The competition will culminate on United Day of Caring at the June 21 United Way WINSday Cape Catfish game against the Burlington Bees.

Everyone bringing at least three nonperishable, nonexpired food items to the Catfish game on June 21 will receive a coupon for free
Dairy Queen ice cream or Kidd’s popcorn available at the game. The winning Workplace Wonder will be announced via Facebook from the ballgame.

Elizabeth Shelton, executive director of United Way of Southeast Missouri, says many working families get by during the school year with school lunch and backpack programs, but the summer months are the hardest for local families and food pantries when donations aren’t as abundant.

This year’s Workplace Wonder Competition will benefit UWSEMO’s partners with food pantries and nutrition programs in every county UWSEMO serves. Recipients are in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City, Patton, and Perryville.

After the competition ends, Workplace Wonders will deliver collected food items to their nearest United Way-funded nutrition partner.

Community members also are asked to bring food items to the UWSEMO office or to any of the participating nutrition partners listed on UWSEMO’s website.

The participating business that collects the most items per employee will receive bragging rights and the brand-new traveling Workplace Wonder Award to display for the entire year,

Shelton promises the award will be presented in a celebration “worthy of the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes!”

Current participating workplaces include the Cape, Jackson, and Perryville locations of The Bank of Missouri, the Cape and Jackson locations of Commerce Bank and First State Community Bank, as well as Century Casino and First Missouri State Bank in Cape Girardeau.

All participating workplaces will be featured in United Way’s social media and website.

Participants will also receive a “We Support United Way” yard sign and a marketing toolkit to help promote the food drive.

Any businesses or organizations interested in becoming a Workplace Wonder can visit unitedwayofsemo.org/dayofcaring/ or call
573-334-9634.