1. Set your goal. Do you want to collect 1 food item for every person who might participate in the drive? Or do you want to collect a specific amount of a specific food, like 500 cans of soup for example? (Recommendation: 1 food item for every 2 potential participants.)
2. Set your dates. Pick a start and end date for your food drive. (Recommendation: 3 weeks. It's enough time to get the word out and keep the momentum going for a successful drive.)
3. Pick a location. Pick a highly visible, safe and convenient location for people to collect and store the food. (Recommendation: Lobby or cafeteria.)
4. Get the word out. Let everyone know what you're up to and let them know what kinds of food items are needed (see donor list). (Recommendation: Use email, posters, fliers, regular mail, paycheck stuffers, newsletters, announcements, Intranet or Internet. Create a friendly competition and offer prizes.)
5. Collect the food. Let people drop off at convenient times and provide boxes labeled "(Our company or school) Food Drive" with the dates. On the last day, count it up! Did you meet your goal?! (Recommendation: Choose smaller boxes, otherwise they will be too heavy to carry once full!)
6. Call the Hunger Network. Call 216.619.8155, ext. 18 and staff will be happy to direct you to a hunger program location closest to you. (Recommendation: Call about one week before your drive is over to confirm times & dates for drop off availability.)
7. Deliver the food. To keep costs low, the Hunger Network does not employ a delivery person and does not own a delivery vehicle. Your contribution is even bigger when you deliver the food you've collected! (Recommendation: Plan ahead and see if there is someone who would volunteer to be the designated delivery person.) Note: Hunger Network can make special arrangements to pick up food.
8. Celebrate! Announce the results and congratulate and thank participants! Let them know that you, the Hunger Network and the hungry people we serve are grateful and appreciative of their generosity!
What food can I donate?
At the Hunger Network, we provide a three day supply of nutritionally balanced meals in the form of canned and dry goods in our bags.
The Hunger Network Nutrition Education Committee has created this list to serve as a guide for what food to collect so that we can continue to provide the best, most nutritious foods to children and families throughout Cuyahoga County:
Milk and Dairy
Fruits
Vegetables
Meats, Nuts and Beans
Breads and Grains
Sugar and Oil
If you have questions about what food to donate, or how we deliver food to hungry families around Cuyahoga County, please feel free to call the Hunger Network at 216.619.8155, ext. 18. Thank you for helping us stop hunger in its tracks!
Click below to download our food drive commitment form and start your food drive today!
