How to Start a Food Drive at Work

Starting a food drive at work is a great way to help the hungry and foster a united working environment.

Food drives are generally associated with winter and holiday season, but let's face it, people need to eat all year long. If you want to do more than just donating a case of canned vegetables, but can't afford to do as much as you would like, why not organize a food drive at work? Get everyone in on the action. This will enable you to collect a better and bigger variety of food, and will foster the collaborative attitude that all places of employment should have.

Things You'll Need

• Large collection bin or cardboard boxes

Instructions

1. Find a local organization or charity to help. Whether it's your local food kitchen or a homeless shelter, choose your charity and let them know what you want to do. Ask for a list of what they accept and what they need. Some charities may even have some of their own collection boxes or bins they can lend to you.

2. Decide if you will open up the drive to the public. If your place of employment often involves the public coming in, you may want to get your customers and clients involved. If you do, put up flyers where the customers can see them, and be sure at least one collection bin or box is in a public area. You may also consider putting an ad in the newspapers or advertising on the local radio stations.

3. Send out a mass email to everyone at your place of employment letting them know what you will be doing. Be sure to let them know the dates of the food drive, as well as the most wanted and needed items. It may be a good idea to also indicate what is not accepted, such as refrigerated or frozen foods.

4. Hang up posters in the lunchroom, time clock room, or any other area that employees frequent. If you have an elevator, hang a sign up in there. If there is a certain place smokers go to smoke, put a flyer out there as well.

5. Check the donation boxes often. If they are filling up fast, you might want to take some food to the shelter early, or take it home and store it. This leaves more room for donations. If employees see that it is full, they may decline to bring something in. If you do empty it out, leave some items behind. This will also show employees that others are giving. Especially if those employees didn't see the collection bins full.

6. Deliver the cans to the charity. If possible, let your colleagues know how much everyone collected together.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to everyone about it to keep the motivation rolling.

• Offer an incentive for those who donate, maybe a pizza party one day.

• Be sure you have your supervisor's permission before planning a food drive.

Resources

• Find a Local Food Bank Near You