Day of Caring 2026 – Pocono Hospitality Gives Back

September 21, 2026 – Pocono Mountains United Way’s annual Day of Caring brought together a record 350 volunteers on Thursday to support nonprofit agencies and community organizations throughout Monroe County, demonstrating the power of volunteerism and community collaboration. This year, more than 150 of those volunteers packed 60,000 meals to help address food insecurity in the region in the in the signature volunteer event: Pocono Hospitality Gives Back.

The day began with a volunteer breakfast hosted by Kalahari Resorts – Poconos, before volunteers dispersed to service projects across the county. Individuals and teams representing local businesses, churches, civic groups and community organizations participated in a variety of projects designed to assist nonprofit agencies and strengthen the communities they serve.

A highlight of this year’s Day of Caring was the inaugural Pocono Hospitality Gives Back initiative, which united hospitality industry professionals in a large-scale effort to address food insecurity throughout the region.

Hosted at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Tobyhanna Township, hospitality employees from resorts, restaurants, attractions and tourism-related businesses worked assembly-line style to package meals for local families. Volunteers spent the morning preparing pasta-based meal kits and oatmeal packets, with the ambitious goal of packing 60,000 meals for distribution through local food pantries, shelters and nonprofit organizations.

“Day of Caring continues to demonstrate what can be accomplished when our community comes together to help one another,” said Michael Tukeva, President/CEO of the Pocono Mountains United Way. “From agency projects across Monroe County to the incredible success of Pocono Hospitality Gives Back, volunteers made a meaningful impact on organizations and families throughout our region.”

The project was made possible through the generosity of hospitality partners who collectively raised approximately $31,000 to fund the initiative. Major contributions came from organizations including Kalahari Resorts, Great Wolf Lodge, Camelback Resort, Skytop Lodge and numerous other businesses throughout the Pocono Mountains tourism industry.

“Several of our properties in the Pocono Mountains came together and raised about $31,000,” said Chris Barrett, president and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. “This is proof positive of the good our frontline workers and hospitality industry leaders do in our Pocono community.”

The meals packed during the event will be distributed to more than a dozen food pantries, shelters and nonprofit organizations throughout Monroe County, helping address growing community needs.

Many participants indicated they plan to continue supporting local nonprofits throughout the year, extending the impact of Day of Caring beyond a single day of service.

View Additional Photos from this year’s Day of Caring at https://laurawilsonphotography.smugmug.com/United-Way-Serve