How to Run an Effective Canned Food Drive

Soup kitchens rely on food that is donated from food drives.

Local food pantries help stop hunger and eliminate food waste. Emergency food programs are often needed during difficult times because there is a demand for food from struggling families. By organizing an effective canned food drive you can help keep your community stocked with enough food to feed individuals who need it. An effective canned food drive will help food programs receive donations of nonperishable food items so that they can be donated to a local food pantry.

Instructions

1. Form a team that can help you with your canned food drive. Contact friends and family members to contribute to your mission and ask them to gather more people. Your team can help you make arrangements.

2. Contact a local food pantry to let it know that you are planning a canned food drive. These organizations can let you know what your team will need and may be able to get more individuals to help you reach your goals.

3. Choose the dates that your canned food drive will run. Food drives can run in length from one day to two weeks. Remember to plan enough time so that you will gather enough food for your local food pantry.

4. Gather collection materials such as cardboard boxes and plastic containers and label them. Your team can place them in areas that will be convenient for your donors. Put up large signs that are clear so that people can see them from a distance.

5. Advertise for your food drive. Have fliers printed and have your team distribute them throughout your local area. List the local food pantry that you will be donating the canned food to and convey the importance of your food drive.

6. Promote your canned food drive by contacting local newspapers in your area. Make sure that the time and date of the food drive is listed.

7. Contact your local food pantry once your canned food drive is completed. You will want to make arrangements to have the canned food dropped off. You may need to schedule an appointment with your local food pantry.

Tips & Warnings

• Publicity is an essential part of a canned food drive, so tell as many people as you can about it.

References

• Share Our Strength
• Food Bank For Westchester
• Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana

Resources

• Food Pantries