8 Steps to a Great Food Drive

Set your goal. How much food do you want to collect? (Recommendation: 1 food item for every participant or 100 pounds of food.)

Set your dates. Pick a start and end date for your food drive. (Recommendation: 2-3 weeks. It’s enough time to get the word out and keep the momentum going for a successful drive.)

Pick a location. Pick a highly visible, safe and convenient location for people to collect and store the food. (Recommendation: Lobby or cafeteria.)

Get the word out. Let everyone know what you’re up to and let them know what kinds of food items are needed. (Recommendation: Use email, posters, fliers, regular mail, newsletters, announcements, Intranet, Facebook, Instagram. Create a friendly competition and offer prizes.)

Collect the food. Let people drop off at convenient times and provide boxes labeled “Our company or school Food Drive” with the dates. On the last day, count it up or weigh it! Did you meet your goal? (Recommendation: Choose smaller boxes, otherwise they will be too heavy to carry once full

Deliver the food. To keep costs low, the Geauga Hunger Task Force does not employ a delivery person and does not own a delivery vehicle. Your contribution is even bigger when you deliver the food you’ve collected! (Recommendation: Plan ahead and see if there is someone who would volunteer to be the designated delivery person.)

Celebrate! Announce the results and congratulate and thank participants! Let them know that you, the Geauga Hunger Task Force and the hungry people we serve are grateful and appreciative of their generosity! (Recommendation: Throw a pizza party or have an ice cream social or send a personally signed note of thanks!)

Send us an email using the "Contact Us" button if you need more advise or ideas.

Suggested items to collect:

Canned Meats (tuna and chicken)
Canned and Boxed Meals (soup, chili, stew, macaroni and cheese)
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Cereal
Powdered Baby Formula
Dried Soup Mixes
Pasta, Rice, Beans
Spices
Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise)
Diapers
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Soap
Shampoo