MFB Bloomington-Normal blessed by Nikki's P2P fundraiser

Some people might call it an internal nudge. Local community member Nikki Reiland describes it as a "heart ping". Whatever you call it, Nikki says it means she wants to lend a hand. She got one of those pings in November, but this time she wanted to do something for the community, something bigger in scope. 

Nikki took to social media asking for suggestions, and Midwest Food Bank came up several times. After some research, she was sold.

Nikki's goal was to rally some friends around a good cause. She set up a fundraiser online and set a goal of $500. 

"I honestly thought $500 would be a stretch,"  says Nikki, "but just five days after starting, we beat it."

She used social media to promote the event but also got creative. When asked, a handful of small businesses (listed below) added excitement by giving her prizes to for her donors. She spotlighted the prizes and businesses on her social media.

In total, Nikki's P2P event raised $1,600 through 49 donors. Many of these people were new donors to MFB, not only giving but learning about MFB's mission. 

"The fundraiser was very well received," says Nikki. "People liked knowing they were benefitting others right where they lived."

Nikki knew she wanted to do a fundraiser that was easy. She liked that people were able to click and donate right then and there. "That tool set me up for success," says Nikki. "I think there are a lot of people who want to donate to good causes and just need someone to put it right in front of them."

"I am incredibly amazed at the power of social media and humbled that Nikki selected Midwest Food Bank," says Tara Ingham, Executive Director of Midwest Food Bank Bloomington-Normal. "Thank you, Nikki, for your inspiration and ingenuity, and thank you to her friends who donated."

Midwest Food Bank can turn a $1 donation into $30 worth of food which means Nikki's P2P fundraiser is the equivalent of about $48,000 in food. Learn more or set up your own P2P fundraiser.

Busineses who donated gifts to Nikki's fundraiser:

Pizza Payaa, Theo's Microcreamery, J.Lorraine Boutique Salon, Coral+James, The Coffee Hound, Vera and Buck, Practical Harmony Organizing, and InsideOut Fitness. 

"Each of them have such giving hearts," says Nikki. "I could not be more thankful!"