Hope-School-2-Kids-FixedORGANIZE A FOOD DRIVE

Your guide for a successful Food Drive

CURRENT FOOD DRIVES-
-DROP OFF YOUR DONATION NOW!

 

 

 Thank you for choosing the Greater Lansing Food Bank and the communities that we serve by holding a food drvie!

A food drive is an effective response to the problem of hunger.  Each and every item collected does make a difference. You can also do a fund drive for those who prefer to make a monetary donation.

Below are the steps to take to have a successful and fun time helping your community!

DOWNLOAD THE MANUAL

Getting Started

  • Pick a time frame, with a beginning and ending date. A one to two week drive gives everyone enough time to participate.
  • Get in touch with the Greater Lansing Food Bank. That way we can help you with any questions and give you support for your food drive. If the food drive is open to the public we can post that information on our website to help with the success of the food drive.
  • GLFB can provide barrels or boxes for your food drive. As we have a limited number of barrels, barrel distribution is determined on the size of the company and length of time of the food drive. When you contact the GLFB we can help with the decision.
  • GLFB can also provide donation envelopes for those who would like to make a monetary donation.
  • Coordinate ahead of time if you are going to deliver the food to the GLFB or if we need to pick up the food from your business.  Call (517)-853-7800 or (517) 482-1270.

Publicize Your Event

  • Develop a theme/idea for the food drive.  You can have themed days to encourage people to bring in desired product.  Such days could be Peanut Butter Sandwich day (peanut butter and jelly in plastic containers) Tuna Casserole Day (tuna, pasta, cream of mushroom soup), Breakfast Day (cereal, syrup, pancake mix) the ideas are endless!
  • Set up any competitions between departments or have a goal in mind.  Set a goal of the number of pounds or items to collect and then post a “Food Drive Thermometer” and track your success.
  • Post the dates and location(s) where the donations can be dropped off.
  • Note the need and where the food will be going. See the GLFB Fact Sheet.
  • List what types of food are needed.  Consult our Items for Food Drives list
  • After it is all done, send out a follow-up press release/newsletter article on the success of your drive and thank participants. 

Collection Guidelines

  • Collection sites should be well-marked. For a flyer that you can either hang or tape to the collection boxes download the Food Box Collection Sign.
  • Use good sturdy boxes (computer paper boxes are great), not bags or barrels, to collect food. (Note: If you cannot lift them, the staff or volunteers receiving them cannot either.)
  • Collect only canned goods or boxed items, no glass or home-made items.  See our Food Drives and Food Safety Guidelines for more info.

**If you decide to collect funds, GLFB can provide collection envelopes!

Dollars collected go to purchase food that is not normally donated and transportation costs to pick up donated food in our community.  Greater Lansing Food Bank can leverage more pounds of food with donated dollars.  Plus, you can have a tax deduction!

Delivery Arrangements

  • To deliver yourself: Call the Greater Lansing Food Bank at (517) 853-7800 or (517) 482-1270 to verify hours or to find a local food pantry for your delivery.
  • To arrange a pick up: Call the Greater Lansing Food Bank at (517) 482- 1270 or (517) 853-7800 to schedule a convenient time.  Please remember that because we rely heavily on volunteers, it may take us a day or so before we can come.

Again…Thank you for supporting the Greater Lansing Food Bank and the families we serve in Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties.