How to Start a Community Outreach Food Pantry

Starting a community outreach food pantry is a worthwhile cause, especially if you have a large quantity of underserved populations in your area.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. OBTAIN NON-PROFIT STATUS- This will be the most complicated step. You must put together a board of directors and set forth a plan for your food pantry. If navigating through all the paperwork seems intimidating, you can hire an attorney to take care of it for you for around $1500.00

2. OBTAIN A SITE- Partner with your local church or community center for space. If your goal fits in with theirs, you can enlist volunteers and cut out building overhead.

3. OBTAIN DONATIONS- With a non-profit status, you become more credible to solicit donations and can offer donator' s tax deductions for helping your cause. Also make an appeal at local churches, neighborhood watch programs, and large companies in your community for food drives to stock your community food center.

4. BECOME A HOST SITE FOR ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES- Some people seeking food assistance are not only looking for free food, but also grocery deals. Angel Food ministries offers $60.00 worth of food per month for $30.00 1 box of food feeds a senior citizen for a month and a family of 4 for 1 week. They are seeking host sites. For more information visit www.angelfoodministries.com

[Desula]

on 5/26/2008 Thanks for the article about setting up a food pantry, and especially about the link to Angel Food ministries. I've heard a lot about this lately.