How to Organize a Food Drive

How to Organize a Food Drive

Are you looking for a way to give back? Whether it’s through your workplace, school, service club, or place of worship, your efforts help us feed over 170 households in Clarington East.

The Best Choice: A “Virtual” Fund Drive

The most efficient way to help is by skipping the heavy lifting and hosting a Virtual Fund Drive.

  • Multiply Your Impact: Because of our industry partnerships, we can turn your $1 donation into $2 worth of food.

  • Freshness Guaranteed: Your dollars allow us to purchase fresh milk, eggs, meat, and produce that cannot be collected in a traditional bin.

  • Ease of Use: No heavy boxes to move or sort. We shop for exactly what our shelves need at that moment.

Planning a Physical Food Drive

If your group prefers to collect physical items, please follow these steps to ensure a successful event:

1. Register Your Drive Because we have limited warehouse space and a small volunteer team, we can only accommodate a certain number of physical food drives per month.

  • Contact Us: Call Susan Pascoe at 905-987-1418 or email claringtoneastfoodbank@gmail.com to receive a Food Drive Registration Form and schedule your drop-off date.

2. Target Your Collection Refer to our to see what we need most. We recommend choosing a specific “Item of the Day” or a theme to ensure a well-balanced collection.

3. Set Your Dates & Location We suggest running your drive for 3 to 5 days. Place your collection boxes in highly visible, accessible areas that are protected from the weather.

4. Deliver Your Donations Please note: We are unable to pick up collected food. You will need to coordinate a team to deliver the items to 250 Mill St. S (Entrance on Edward St.) at your pre-scheduled appointment time.

Creative Ideas for Success

Make some noise! Publicity is the key to a great drive. Use social media, flyers, and emails to spread the word.

  • Friendly Competition: Create a challenge between departments or classrooms. The winning team gets a pizza party or a “casual dress” day!

  • “Meating” the Need: Dedicate a day to high-protein items like canned meats and peanut butter.

  • Kid-Friendly Friday: Collect nut-free school snacks like fruit cups and granola bars.

  • Fill the Playpen: A great visual for collecting diapers and baby formula.

Checklist for Organizers

  • ☐ Register with the Food Bank to secure your dates.

  • ☐ Promote via social media and flyers. (Check out ours!)

  • ☐ Review the Wish List for non-perishable, unexpired goods.

  • ☐ Coordinate your delivery team for the final drop-off.

Ready to start? Contact Susan Pascoe at 905-987-1418 or email claringtoneastfoodbank@gmail.com to get your registration form!