Carlinville, IL (December 29, 2015) - This Fall, Prairie Farms gave back even more to their school partners through a back to school promotion, Caps 4 Kids. The promotion was a simple and easy way for schools to raise even more money through Prairie Farms charitable giving program, Our Caps Your Cause. From September 16th - October 31st, each milk cap redeemed was worth 10 cents instead of 5 cents for all participating Our Caps Your Cause education organizations. As a result, over 62,000 bonus caps were awarded - that's $3,100!

During the promotion, the top five schools with the most votes won an ice cream social and 5,000 additional bonus caps.

On December 21st, 440 students at Eisenhower Elementary School in Davenport, Iowa gathered to celebrate their win and enjoy Prairie Farms ice cream.

"Our Caps Your Cause has been a huge benefit to help aid in the purchase of a new set of Google Chromebooks for the school. Our students will be able to learn and have fun using this new technology. Mrs. Easton's 2nd grade class felt a sense of pride and excitement for a job well done by going out and asking parents, staff and others to vote for Eisenhower Elementary during the Caps 4 Kids Ice Cream Social contest. We did it!" said TOP Lead WATCHDOG Volunteer Eric Jackson.

Through Caps 4 Kids, the school earned 5,004 additional bonus caps.

"Caps 4 Kids was about celebrating back to school time and giving back to the education organizations that participate in our charitable giving program, Our Caps Your Cause," said Emily Hereford, Public Relations Program Manager, Prairie Farms Dairy.

"Prairie Farms employees and farm families take a lot of pride in giving back to the communities we are a part of," said Hereford. "With today's economy, local non-profit organizations have a greater need for support. Our Caps Your Cause is a simple way for families to get involved and support their favorite organization," Hereford added.

Consumers can still give back just by voting for their Our Caps Your Cause organization of choice in the Party On Give On Sweepstakes. Through the end of the year, holiday revelers can enter the online contest daily for weekly prize packages filled with hundreds of free coupons for a variety of dairy products that will help get the party going. With this campaign, Prairie Farms is giving back to charities enrolled in Our Caps Your Cause. Each week, the top 12 charities, determined by the highest number of votes from contest entries, will receive 1,000 cap credits - that's $50 for each charity. And each week, one lucky person will win the Grand Prize Package consisting of a $250 Gift Card, $100 coupons for Prairie Farms products and $250 cash to their selected Our Caps Your Cause charity!

All details of the promotion can be found at http://www.prairiefarms.com/partyon.aspx. The webpage includes a full list of organizations participating, as well as details on the sweepstakes.

About Prairie Farms Dairy

Founded in 1938, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful dairy cooperatives in the Midwest, with over 600 farm families, 5700 employees, 35 manufacturing plants, over 100 distribution facilities and annual sales of over $3 billion. Prairie Farms is a nationally recognized leader in the dairy industry and is known for setting the standard for milk flavor innovations and producing award winning milk and dairy products. With headquarters in Carlinville, Ill., Prairie Farms distribution footprint covers over 30 percent of the United States; products are available in grocery chains, mass merchandiser stores, club stores, convenience stores, dollar stores, drug stores, schools, food service outlets and warehouse distribution centers. Prairie Farms charitable giving program, Our Caps, Your Cause, supports a variety of non-profit organizations. Prairiefarms.com

Underwear Because We Care is excited to announce the initial results of this year's underwear campaign. The campaign which began on October 1, 2015 and concluded on November 1, 2015 exceeded our goal of 4500 and resulted in 4600 items being collected and distributed through 25 organizations that provide services to the needy and homeless. In addition, there are several collection/drop sites that have chosen to collect after the campaign and we now anticipate, for the first time, a second distribution in the mid-February time frame. We have established a goal of 1500 additional items for this second distribution.

The campaign collects packages of new underwear; underpants, undershirts, bras and socks for Women, Children (both girls and boys) and Men. With winter having arrived, we are looking to collect both year round and winter underwear. We will also collect clean, serviceable prosthetic bras for distribution to women in need.

For those who wish to donate money rather than directly purchase underwear, contributions may be sent to Underwear Because We Care, PO. Box 2242, Davenport Iowa 52809. We are a 501c(3) so your donation may be tax deductible.

All underwear collected or purchased, will be distributed to organizations that provide shelter and services for the needy and homeless citizens in the Quad Cities.

If you are interested in helping or have any questions, please call Grant Curtis at 563-528-0835 or email underwearBWC@gmail.com with a subject line of Underwear Campaign.

If you've ever wondered if you can be charitable with only a few extra dollars in your wallet or a little bit of free time, the answer is yes. You just have to get a little creative.

In the Chronicle of Philanthropy's latest analysis of charitable giving, it appears people who earned less were giving more. Based on state-by-state tax data, the nonprofit industry trade publication reported that between 2006 to 2012, Americans earning more than $200,000 gave a smaller percentage of their income to charity while those earning less than $100,000 actually gave more during the same period.

Wherever you stand on the income scale, stretching charitable dollars or time should begin with a little planning. Here are five steps to consider.

1. Check your finances first. Helping others is a worthwhile lifetime habit. However, before you start writing checks or handing out cash to various individuals or groups, check your budget to determine whether you actually have extra money to spare for charitable donations in any form. If you itemize, check the IRS rules (www.irs.gov) on charitable giving or consult with a qualified tax professional to see if there are charitable giving options that fit your circumstances.
2. Screen charities you're considering. It's never been easier to evaluate a potential charity or nonprofit organization. Leading online databases like CharityNavigator.org, CharityWatch.org and Guidestar.org provide extensive data on thousands of national, state and local charities and nonprofit organizations. The Better Business Bureau also operates Give.org, a national charity database that accredits and notes complaints. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's Charity Scams website offers breaking news on illegal fundraising activities and best practices for evaluating charities and nonprofits year-round. What else can you do? Play reporter. Even if an organization checks out through these reputable sources, do an online search of news media just to make sure no unsavory developments have occurred that might discourage your donation.
3. Research what's needed. If the charity in question accepts physical items or volunteer work, see if you're interested in providing help that way. Check with the charity either online or by phone to determine what they will and will not accept - donating the wrong items simply wastes staff and volunteer time. If you would like to volunteer, ask about opportunities and make sure that volunteer assignment fits you before you commit. Remember, charities really count on their volunteers and your enthusiasm for an assignment can help them keep their turnover to a minimum. Some organizations may also have travel-based service missions that can provide charitable travel opportunities that allow you to help while seeing the world.
4. Ask if your employer will match your donation. Even if your cash donation is modest, some employers can make your contribution go farther if they have a matching gifts program. Check with your human resources department or benefits manager. Also, many nonprofits, universities and charitable organizations keep their own online databases of employer matching gift programs.
5. Go micro. If you can only find a few dollars to give, don't let that discourage you. Organize like-minded friends and family members to pool funds, attend events or volunteer time for a cause, or consider a particular nonprofit's organized crowdfunding (https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources/crowdfunding-nonprofits) efforts that will allow you to make an impact with only a few dollars. Still short on cash and want to help? Pick up the phone or email the charity and ask if they accept small items or in-kind services. Some ideas might include gift cards (including ones with unused balances), office supplies, stamps, catering for events or board meetings or help with writing, fundraising or technology.

Bottom line: Making a difference in the world doesn't always require big bucks, but big know-how helps. Check your finances first, research charities you're interested in and investigate how small donations of time, money and physical items can make an impact.