1. Contact your local food bank. Many local food banks require you to register a drive, but they are also helpful to help in the planning and executing of your drive! Use the Feeding America Food Bank Locator to find your nearest food bank by searching with your zip code.
2. Set the date, duration, and goal of your drive. Food drives can last one day or go on all year long. Find out what works best for you and your group.
3. Gather the materials. Consider what you’ll need: cardboard boxes, flyers, signs, posters, coin canisters, etc. Oftentimes your local food bank can provide you with some promotional materials, and even a cardboard collection box! Once you have what you need pick a great central location to collect all the donations.
4. Set up your collection area. Choose a central location and make sure to let everyone participating know where they can drop off their donations. If you have multiple locations, make sure to coordinate the promotion, collection, and pick up at every location.
5. Collect & Deliver! This is the fun part – seeing your group band together for a great cause and work towards your goal. Make sure to coordinate with your local food bank to decide whether you’ll deliver the donations, or have them picked up.
