For most people, summer vacation is a period of relaxation that may include cooking and eating, spending time (at the pool) with loved ones, and giving back to the community. No other season allows us so much time to relax and loosen up a bit. However, that is no excuse to stop doing good. This summer, have a party with a purpose!

Use the following steps to ensure a fun and charitable party:

Locate a local food bank or homeless shelter Locate a local food bank or homeless shelter and tell them that you plan on hosting a canned food drive. Ask them if there is anything in particular they need and any directions necessary to donate.

Send out invitations Invite friends, family, and neighbors to join you to party for good with food, drinks, and good company. Inform guests of your mission to donate as much food as possible to your local food bank, and ask that each guest bring at least 5 canned food goods. As an incentive, offer guests a prize of your choice to the person who brings the most canned food goods! Homemade certificates or even just the pride of being the top donor will elicit more competition than you’d expect.

Prep your party The day of the event, designate an area in your home where guests can donate their canned goods. Consider having a sign in that area that informs guests on the food bank you chose to donate to as well as facts and figures about homelessness and hunger in your community. Such as, in 2010, 48.8 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 32.6 million adults and 16.2 million children.

Party! Eat, drink, and be merry at your party, knowing that you have brought together the people you love for a worthwhile cause.

Collect and donate goods Transport the canned goods from your home to the food bank or homeless shelter of your choice. Note how much the total contribution of food weighs.

Send thank-yous Email or send a letter to your guests thanking for them coming and donating. Include a shout-out to the person who brought the most cans, and also mention how many cans or how many pounds of food were donated!

The “party with a purpose” idea is great for families, friends, co-workers, and volunteers for holidays, birthdays, and throughout the year!