How to Host a Food Drive

Collecting food in your local community is a fun and easy way to make sure nobody on the other side of your pond goes hungry! In order to hold a successful food drive, your first step should be to contact your local food pantry and let them know you would like to help. Ask if there are specific food items they need and whether there are any guidelines you should follow in order to donate. Next, decide where you would like to collect.

Many people have success collecting at school, in their religious home, through clubs and sports leagues, or by emailing family and friends.  Once you know how and where you will collect, you should make it as easy as possible for your donors to help. You can do this by telling them exactly what food items to collect, letting them know exactly where to drop their food off, and giving specific dates during which you are accepting food.  You can include these details in a flyer, in an email you send to your network, in announcements made over the school loudspeaker, or in a community newsletter.

To hold a really successful food drive, you’ll want to advertise, advertise, advertise!  Get word out in as many ways as you can, and remind people as often as you can. Finally, you can arrange with your chosen pantry to either drop your collection off or have it picked up. By following these few simple steps, you can be sure that your food drive will help many families to put food on the table.