- A successful food drive requires more time and planning than simply placing the collection bins. Food drive organizers start weeks to months before the collection period to ensure that goals are established and achieved. Food drives can be planned by a variety of groups, including churches, workplaces and nonprofit organizations and can be held in conjunction with larger initiatives. Several factors, including the season and economic climate, are considered when setting collection goals and time lines. For example, communities hit hard by recent severe weather may reduce their collection goals or extend their collection period. Organizers also decide what type of food is going to be collected. Some food drives focus on collecting non-perishable items, and others focus on collecting items through field gleaning or food rescue missions. Organizers decide whether the food collected will benefit specific individuals or be donated to larger agencies such as soup kitchens or food banks. Organizers inform these destinations of their food drive plans. They also decide on official collection sites, collection table setup and applicable oversight schedules.
- Once time lines and collection goals are established, organizers begin spreading the word about the food drive. They inform the public about the food drive through a variety of mediums, including radio and newspaper announcements. Volunteers place fliers in public places throughout the community. Stressing the types and amounts of items needed as well as official collection locations builds excitement and diminishes confusion. Promotional activities may also include seeking corporate sponsorship or community volunteers to make the food drive successful. Local businesses may help promote the food drive by offering incentives for donations. For example, donating food at certain locations can be worth service discounts or free admission to special shows. Organizers continue to promote the food drive during the collection period by giving status reports and seeking continued donations.
- Food drive organizers and volunteers mark the beginning of the collection period by setting up collection bins at approved locations. Signage and fliers are placed around the collection bins to encourage crowd participation. Volunteers continue to promote the food drive through public media sources. Donors drop off items at specified locations and volunteers sort the items using the food pyramid as a guide. Once the collection period ends, the food is cataloged and bagged for quick reference by the recipient. Volunteers coordinate food delivery and clean up the collection and assembly area. The food drive results are made public, and individuals in need finally get to enjoy the food.
