• Raking the leaves for the elderly can net you unused crayons for the children.autumn lawn image by Sergej Razvodovskij from Fotolia.com
  
  Children's ministries can be costly to operate, making it important to seek donations when possible. Donations don't have to be limited to the formal letter-writing request. Be creative by incorporating three types of donation-seeing activities into your children's ministry efforts: partnerships, solicitations and community service drives.
  
  

Partnerships

• Partnering in a joint venture with a local food business in your area is one way to get donations for your children ministries. Partner with a breakfast restaurant that seeks to increase their customer base and is open to creative solutions. Allow older children the chance to serve as waiters and waitresses for a select day at the restaurant, for an event such as a pancake breakfast. The menu price should be at a flat rate, with the restaurant not having to pay wait staff--and youth receiving the funds raised from the day's sales.
  
  

Solicitations

• Many restaurants that serve children menus will welcome requests for items they purchase in bulk quantity, such as suckers, coloring crayons and animal crackers or cookies, in lieu of more expensive food items on the menu. These items are great for use in children ministries, too, and it enables the restaurant to donate less costly items to replace. However, other restaurants, such as McDonalds, expect to field requests for food items, and create coupons for that purpose.
  
  Restaurants benefit from goodwill in the community, and most families dine with their children in tow. So seeking donations where you eat out already is a great place to start.
  
  

Community Service Drives

• Ministries seek ways to give back to the community, so incorporating a community effort for others can net you donations, as well. Advertise a day you and fellow church ministry workers will be going out into the community to offer lawn care or roadside trash pick-up services. Ask residents to collect household items that may be of use to your ministry. This can help them clean up their homes, while you help clean up the community.