About Food Drives

Food drives are activist efforts that help fight one form of poverty: hunger. Given the abundance of food around the world, there is no reason why hunger should occur. But unstable economies can often cause food to be too expensive for some citizens.

Identification

Food drives are charitable acts to collect food for an organization, shelter, disaster area or impoverished region. There are charitable organizations like Action Against Hunger that are dedicated to the cause, but many individuals and communities act independently.

Schools

Schools often engage in food drives in order to help the community and teach children charity and activism. Canned food drives are very common since they are nonperishable and can sit in a backpack for a long time. To increase interest, schools can try themed food drives like ethnic food drives, where children bring Mexican and Italian food.

Recruiting Volunteers

Food drives need volunteers in order to keep them running. This can be done by asking friends and family as well as advertising. Businesses and organizations also might be interested in participating in order to improve their public image. High school students and college students are easily recruited because they often have fewer work obligations and are looking for activities to put on a resume.

Food Drive Process

Food drives must be promoted, and the food must be collected by the volunteers. For large food drives, storage must be arranged. Some organizations, like schools and grocery stores, might donate storage. Food drive volunteers must also find a food bank that is looking for donations. Some food banks fill up, so volunteers should be prepared to find another food bank if necessary.

Transportation

Food collected at the food drive must be organized. During this process, food drive organizers should continue to advertise for volunteers. Transportation of the food to the food drive must be arranged. If there is a large volume of food, businesses might volunteer vehicles for the cause in exchange for publicity.

Hunger Organizations

Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Bread for the World, Food First, Food Research and Action Center, World Hunger Year, City Harvest, Freegan, Freeing Minds Fighting Hunger, Future Harvest, Kids Can Make a Difference, Harvest Help, Forgotten Harvest, Rock It Wrap It and Food USA are all organizations that might help out a food drive.