take up a collection
To request and collect donations (usually of money) from people (for some cause). Before we leave, I wanted to let you know that Mrs. Stein is taking up a collection for incoming refugees fleeing the war. Every Saturday, I take up a collection outside of the local grocery store in support of veterans.
take up a collection
Request and gather donations, as in They were taking up a collection for the church that burned down, or The veterans' group takes up a collection every month of household goods and furniture. This idiom was first recorded in 1849.