What Do I Need to Start a Food Pantry?
Food pantries play a vital role in the communities they serve, and starting one is a worthwhile endeavor. However, there are several issues to address and logistical factors to work out before you can turn your desire to help others into a reality.
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Evaluate the Need
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It is not enough to simply want to help the people in your community; you have to know whose needs are not being met and how the situation can be rectified. Investigate the food services already established in your area. Is there a region that is not being adequately provided for? Speak to those who work or volunteer for the food banks, soup kitchens or pantries within your area. Find out if there are specific hours that no other service covers, a segment of the population not being helped or a type of service, such as deliveries to those who cannot physically come to the pantry, not being offered. To be successful, and a welcome asset to your community, your pantry should fill in the gaps, not double efforts.
Check the Legalities and Secure a Site
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The biggest hurdle you will face is obtaining the legal permission to run a pantry and securing a venue that can accommodate the facility's needed. You will have to contact both your municipality and your state in order to secure business licenses and permits. You will also need to contact your state board of health to find out the requirements your facility must meet to legally store food meant for public consumption. As of 2010, most states also require that a food pantry have a 501(c) (3) legal charity status to obtain food or monetary donations. Most corporations--such as supermarket chains--will not donate to any program that is not a legally recognized charity. Consult with an attorney or your area Small Business Administration office to help you establish your program as a 501(c) (3) designated charity.
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Get Help
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Starting and running a food pantry is not something you can do by yourself. You need the help and support of your community. You will need enough volunteers to cover all hours the pantry is going to be open. You'll need drivers, if you plan to deliver food to the housebound and for picking up food donations. You'll need fundraisers, who will continually raise awareness, help and money for your pantry. You'll need suppliers who are willing to donate food and people to do all of the tasks connected to running a business, such as bookkeeping, advertising, maintaining client records and keeping abreast of any community or legal issues. Recruit volunteers through places of worship, high schools and civic organizations. Make sure everyone you enlist believes in your mission to feed those in need. You do not want the people your pantry serves to feel uncomfortable because your volunteers and workers do not treat them with respect and understanding.
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- Photo Credit bread in shop image by david hughes from Fotolia.com
