United Way's 'Pass The Grade' On Giving Tuesday

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Today, Nov. 27, is "Giving Tuesday." Many charities, families and businesses are coming together to give back.

The United Way is bringing attention to poverty and how to succeed in school through an online game. Kathy Hollenhorst, with the Greater Twin Cities United Way, stopped by the WCCO Morning Show to tell us how the game works.

It's an interesting way to raise awareness and funds. Hollenhorst said United Way raises a lot of money through a workplace campaign and directly from donors, and this year their campaign is a game based around the challenges with children, education and poverty.

Local advertising company Space 150 helped develop the game, making raising money interactive. The game can be found at passthegrade.unitedwaytwincities.org. One game allows you to fill a plate with food that shows you how hungry children can be in school and how that prevents learning.

Another game demonstrates cognitive learning, and when you're done playing you get a letter grade for how you did. Every time you play the game online, Ecolab donates $1 and also matches any donations dollar for dollar. Officials said $5 provides a hungry child with snacks for a school week, $22 will help one child receive one-on-one reading help and $33 provides a child with enriching after-school programs.

Once you've finished the game, you can spread the word about it by clicking on icons to share it on Twitter, Facebook and through your email.