Hold the
Ultimate
Food Drive
in Steps
5
1. IDENTIFY A GOAL AND CREATE A TEAM. Think about how much time you have to commit and how many people
will be involved. Determine who will lead the food drive and who will be the main contact with us.
2.PICK UP RESOURCES. We have all of the supplies you’ll need to collect the food (barrels or baskets depending on
how much you can raise, marketing materials, donor receipts, and food information)—all you need to do is pick it up!
3. SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT YOUR FOOD DRIVE. Hang up and hand out all of the marketing material provided.
Post it on social media using our social media package. Tell all of your neighbors, coworkers, or anyone involved. We’ll
post it on our calendar.
4.KEEP ENTHUSIASM HIGH! Send out emails, keep social media updated, or create a contest!
5. GET THE FOOD TO US. For most food drives, we ask that you deliver the food to us at the warehouse where we’ll
sort and store the donations. If you have raised more than 500 lbs call the warehouse and set up a pick up.
Provided Materials
• Barrels (for raising 150 pounds or more)
• Baskets (for all other donations)
•Posters
• Flyers (announcements, most wanted foods)
• Donation envelopes (if you end up raising money)
• Donation receipts (for money or food donations)
Tips for Success
• Designate a coordinator who is also the contact for the Food Center staff.
• Get others involved: form a committee to help increase your drive and your success.
• Promote your food drive:
Flyers—the flyer could be paired with employee paychecks, in employee’s mailbox, in the school email bulletin.
Email Blasts to coworkers or parents (if a school or youth organization)
• Use the PA system to make announcements
• Schools—if you have an electronic billboard, post the food drive dates
• Use Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc)
• Provide a paper bag for each employee and ask them to fill the bag.
• Track your progress.
• Ask the Food Center for a tour so you can see what we do and where the food goes (can be before, during or after the drive).
• Recognize/share your success on social media, within your office, and on our Story Sharing blog
Social Media Presence
UTILIZE FFFC SOCIAL MEDIA: Post to our Facebook page • Tweet at us with your progress • Tag us in an Instagram post
USE OUR HASHTAGS: #feedingflagstaff • #diyfooddrive • #Flagstaff
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Fun-Raising Ideas
• Organize pledge drives. Ask family and friends to pledge money if you walk a specific distance.
• Recycle your junk at a sale: “One person’s junk is another’s treasure.”
• Collect food and funds at film festivals, basketball games, mini-marathons, etc.
• Place donation jars and food bins near break rooms, copiers and fax machines.
• Generate pyramid power. Have teams build a pyramid of food. Or ask teams to bring foods representing the nutritional
food pyramid.
• Host a competition and offer a special prize such as an extra day of vacation, longer lunch break, extra recess for
schools, casual clothing day at work.
• Ask each department or school grade to bring in a particular item (i.e. one group brings in cereal, another group brings
in tuna, a third group brings in soup, etc.).
• Have theme days such as Macaroni Monday, Tuna Tuesday, Whatever Wednesday, Think of Others Thursdays, Fruity
Fridays, PJ Day—everyone donates peanut butter so they can wear pajamas to school.
• Rewards: If you create an award event such as a dress down day, pizza party, ice cream social or publicity for the
winning team, you will collect more food because people often like receiving a reward and seeing the celebration of a
large collection of food.
• Charge canned food for admission to special events such as concerts, luncheons, trainings, ice cream socials or other
fun activities.
• Divide into teams. Each team creates their name and they have a contest to see who collects the most food. It could
be measured by weight or by the number of items. Each team could pick a different item to collect such as one team is
tuna, one team is chili, one team is canned corn, etc.
• Have raffle tickets for a bag of food and then have prizes (a day off work, etc).
• Fill a barrel. Ask the boss to match the food you fill in the barrel if you fill the barrel fast—give the boss a set date.
• Collect a different type of food each day. Ask the employees to bring in a particular item each day and watch the
donations grow.
• Flash Food Drive—tell all of your coworkers a high goal and that you need to raise that amount in a very short time.
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Themes
• OH BABY: diapers, wipes, formula, infant cereal, prepackaged toddler meals,
finger food
• BACK TO SCHOOL: lunch-box items like peanut butter, granola bars, fruit,
individual snack bags
• WINTER WONDERLAND: dry and canned soup, crackers, stuffing, pumpkin,
cranberry sauce, canned meats
• FEELING FRUITY: canned peaches, pears, pineapple, fruit cocktail, applesauce, canned juices, fresh fruit (as long as it is getting to us quickly)
• WAKE UP CALL: canned coffee, creamer, boxed cereal, oatmeal, powdered
eggs, tea bags, pancake/waffle mix, muffins
• DINNER’S SERVED: canned stew, pork and beans, instant potatoes, stuffing
mix, soups
• TAKE A BITE OUT OF HUNGER: Shake and Bake, Hamburger Helper, rice and
beans, Rice-A-Roni, Zatarain’s mix, packaged main dishes
• PROTEIN POWER: canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon), nuts, powdered
eggs, rice and beans, quinoa, powdered milk
• VEGGIE MANIA: canned corn, green beans, peas, root vegetables, asparagus,
black eyed peas
• TRICK OR TREAT SO OTHERS CAN EAT: canned goods, hearty winter meals,
soups, rice and beans
• EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN TABLE: toiletries, kitchen wares, towels, toilet
paper, toothpaste
• CINCO DE MAYO: rice, beans, tortillas, canned tomatoes, vegetables, sauces
• HAPPY BIRTHDAY: streamers, cake mixes, frosting, wrapping paper, ribbon,
party favors
• JEANS FOR BEANS: many businesses have business dress but one bank has
the employees bring in a bag or can of beans and they receive a dress down
sticker for a day of their choice
• SKIP LUNCH, FEED A BUNCH: employees can donate the money they would
have spent on a lunch or go out and buy nonperishable food to donate
• MAKE IT A MEAL: Pair nonperishable food together to make a meal for
someone in need: peanut butter and jelly/jam, canned tuna and whole
wheat pasta, whole wheat pasta and pasta sauce, canned meat and canned
vegetables, hearty soups and whole grain crackers, nonperishable ready to
eat meals and canned vegetables
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Food We Need
FAQ
WHAT SHOULD WE RAISE?
While all food donations are greatly appreciated we like to focus on healthy and hearty options. Canned protein, frozen
meat, frozen vegetables are all great options. Also, check out our “Most Wanted Food” chart for the food we always need.
WHAT SUPPLIES ARE PROVIDED?
We provide everything! After you sign up and talk to someone at the Food Center come to the warehouse to pick up your
DIY Package. We have “Most Wanted Food” posters, announcement posters, literature about hunger and FFFC:FB&K, boxes
or barrels (depending on the scale), and donation envelopes and receipts. We even provide ideas on themes and ways to
get your team involved.
HOW LONG SHOULD THE DRIVE LAST?
It depends on the scale of your drive. We typically recommend two weeks for a standard food drive. But, you could
prepare a “Flash Food Drive” or work on a month long campaign.
WHEN SHOULD I HOLD MY DRIVE?
Anytime you’d like! We need food year round and always welcome donations and volunteers. We have a list of themes
that could work with certain holidays, should you choose that route. Also check out the calendar on the website to see if
any other drives are planned.
HOW DO I GET OUR DONATIONS TO THE FOOD CENTER?
At the end of your drive you will need to return all materials (boxes, barrels) to the warehouse. At that time, you can drop
off food and monetary donations.
CAN YOU PICK UP OUR DONATIONS?
Yes! If you are planning on receiving more than 100lbs of food you can schedule a pick up when you sign up. If you ended
up with way more than you thought we can definitely pick it up! Call and we’ll put it on our regular pick up schedule.
SHOULD WE ALSO TAKE MONETARY DONATIONS?
While this is not intended to be a monetary campaign, of course we are grateful for any help. In your DIY Package we
include donation envelopes and receipts. Have people write checks to “The Flagstaff Family Food Center: Food Bank and
Kitchen.” And let them know they will also receive a tax letter once their donation is processed.
CAN WE DONATE EXPIRED GOODS?
This depends on the item.
HOW DO WE GIVE RECEIPTS FOR THOSE WHO WANT THEM?
If people want a tax receipt for their food donations you can fill out one of the receipts provided in the DIY Package. You
can also assure them that they will receive an official letter from us once we receive the donation.
CAN WE MATCH THE GIFTS?
Absolutely! That can be one of your campaign strategies. We leave all of the details up to you.
HOW MUCH DOES A FOOD BARREL HOLD?
More than 150 pounds
HOW MUCH DOES A FOOD BOX HOLD?
150 pounds
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DIY Food Drive Quiz
Should you prepare a DIY Food Drive? Take this quiz to see if you should prepare a food drive!
DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE PLANNING TO COLLECT YOUR FOOD?
A. My neighborhood/work place/child’s school-- we’ve been looking for a way to give back.
B. Yeah I’m involved a in a few things around town.
C. Not really sure? I just want to help out.
DOES YOUR BOSS/MANAGEMENT KNOW?
A. Yep! We’re all on board!
B. Calling them right now...
C. Not really...I’m not sure they would be interested.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT WHEN YOU WANT TO HOST THE DRIVE?
A. The dates are already on the calendar and an email has been sent out!
B. We have a general idea-- we’re thinking for two weeks before the upcoming holiday.
C. No...maybe December?
DO YOU HAVE A GOAL?
A. Yep! And the action plan for how we are going to meet the goal.
B. Yeah we think we can raise a certain amount but we’re not sure yet.
C. No, but I’ve heard about your DIY Food Drives.
DO YOU WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY?
A. Absolutely!
B. Yes!
C. I sure do!
RESULTS
MOSTLY A’S: It sounds like you are ready to go and all you need to do is sign up at
http://hotfood.org/donate/diy-food-drive/. After you register you’ll receive a call from us and we’ll let you know the next steps!
MOSTLY B’S: Almost there! Probably just a few more details need to be figured out. When you do sign up at
http://hotfood.org/donate/diy-food-drive/ and we’ll get started!
MOSTLY C’S: Your head and heart are in the right place! If you’d like to just donate instead of the food drive
CLICK HERE http://hotfood.org/donate/. Or, check out our calendar for food drives happening right now!
Checklist for Success
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Taken the quiz and gotten mostly A’s
Time, place, team solidified
Registered online for the DIY Food Drive
Received confirmation call from FFFC
Set up a pick up time (if needed)
Picked up materials from the warehouse
Placed boxes in central locations
Tracked donations and campaign
Post about your success and process on social media
Bring donations to the warehouse
Share your story
http://hotfood.org • 928-526-2211 • [email protected]
http://hotfood.org