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Promoting a Local Charity Drive

A neighbor is actively promoting a local food drive or clothing donation event, explaining its purpose and how others can contribute.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Sarah (Female)
Hi Michael! Do you have a quick moment? I wanted to tell you about the community food drive we're organizing.
2
Michael (Male)
Sure, Sarah! What's it all about? I saw a flyer online, but didn't get a chance to read the details.
3
Sarah (Female)
We're collecting non-perishable food items for the local food bank. They're really low on supplies, especially with winter coming. We're hoping to make a big difference for families in need.
4
Michael (Male)
That's a great initiative! What kind of items are you looking for specifically?
5
Sarah (Female)
Things like canned goods, pasta, rice, cereals, and peanut butter are always in high demand. Basically, anything with a long shelf life. There's a drop-off box at the community center, and also one at the library.
6
Michael (Male)
Okay, got it. When's the deadline for donations?
7
Sarah (Female)
The drive runs until the end of next week, Friday, November 17th. We'd love for as many people as possible to contribute.
8
Michael (Male)
Perfect. I'll definitely gather some items from my pantry. And I'll spread the word to a few other neighbors too.
9
Sarah (Female)
That would be fantastic, Michael! Every little bit helps. Thanks so much for your support!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

food drive

A community event where people collect food donations to help those in need, often for charities like food banks.

non-perishable

Food items that do not spoil easily and can be stored for a long time, like canned goods or dry pasta.

supplies

The stock or amount of goods available, such as food or materials needed for a cause.

initiative

A new plan or action started to solve a problem or help others, like organizing a charity event.

canned goods

Food preserved and sealed in metal cans, such as canned vegetables or soups, which last a long time.

shelf life

The length of time a product can be stored without going bad, important for donations.

drop-off box

A container or bin placed in a public place where people can leave donations easily.

deadline

The final date or time by which something must be done, like submitting donations.

pantry

A small room or cupboard in a home where food and supplies are stored.

spread the word

To tell other people about something to encourage them to join or help, like sharing event info.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Do you have a quick moment?

This is a polite way to ask if someone has a short time to talk. Use it when you want to interrupt briefly without being rude. It's common in casual conversations.

What's it all about?

A casual question asking for the main details or purpose of an event. It's useful for showing interest and getting more information quickly.

We're collecting non-perishable food items for the local food bank.

This sentence explains the purpose of the event using present continuous tense ('we're collecting') to show ongoing action. It's practical for describing charity activities.

That's a great initiative!

An enthusiastic response to praise someone's idea or plan. Use it to show support for positive community efforts. 'Initiative' here means a helpful project.

What kind of items are you looking for specifically?

This asks for detailed examples. The adverb 'specifically' adds precision. It's useful in conversations about needs or requirements.

The drive runs until the end of next week.

Describes the duration of an event using future time expression 'until'. 'Runs' means continues. Good for giving timelines in promotions.

Every little bit helps.

A common idiom meaning even small contributions are valuable. Use it to encourage participation in group efforts like donations.