This page provides information for those interested in starting a food drive. Please email fpc@erie.gov with any corrections.
Tips for a successful food drive
- Ask your community group or family to collect food. Challenge your group to collect items of high need:
- Shelf-stable protein is often needed most. FeedMore WNY and some local pantries post what they need most on their website or social media.
- Items that meet the needs of a group or age range. For example, cultural foods or cans with pull-tab tops for older adults and people living with disabilities.
- Items that help families celebrate special occasions (search birthday cake kits)
- Advertise your food drive. Download a printable flyer template here.
- Make sure your food drive has a start date and an end date.
- Use sturdy boxes or bins to collect food. Suggest people donate in reusable shopping bags. Pantries will give the reusable bags out to their clients. Ask your group for help loading heavy boxes.
- Collect cash or add a link to donate funds directly. Some people prefer to donate money over food. Most pantries can purchase food a bulk rate, so those donated dollars go far.
- Make it fun!
- Challenge your group to compete for pounds of food donated.
- Challenge kids to donate their favorite foods.
- Add manual can openers to the list of items you are collecting.
- Try playing Food Drive BINGO. Download a printable template here.
- When your food drive is finished, bring the food right to the pantry. This saves the pantry workers time and effort! You can donate to a pantry or community fridge of your choice or bring your food directly to FeedMore WNY. FeedMore WNY distributes food to hundreds of local pantries.