FoodDrive Guide Desk v2
Starting a Food Drive PREPARATION
INSTRUCTION
PRACTICE
10–15 hours
4–6 hours
2–3 hours
Many older adults struggle with finding jobs and feeding their families. They might be facing personal hardships or be unable to work. Receiving a few items from a food drive not only gives them much-needed nutrition, it will also boost their spirits to know they aren’t alone! You can use your leadership skills, passion for helping people, and organizational know-how to run your own successful food drive and help others give back to their community.
STEP 1:
Understand the Basics
Evaluate the different types of food drives: Single-site: People bring donations to one location during set hours on a specific day. Extended: People bring donations to multiple collection points over a few weeks. Event-related: Collection sites are set up at a local event, like a school homecoming, sporting event, county fair, etc.
Identify a local organization that needs food. Examples include food banks, homeless shelters, faith-based organizations, and senior centers. Check out FeedingAmerica.org and HomelessShelterDirectory.org for some ideas.
STEP 2:
Take Action
?
!
Choose the type of food drive that’s right for your organization. If it’s event-related, reach out to someone you’ve selected to partner with. Determine the date, time, and drop-off location of the food drive.
Recruit volunteers. Ask friends, family, classmates, colleagues, and neighbors to join you in helping out the older generation. continued next page >> 1
STEP 2:
Take Action (continued)
FOOD DRIVE
On the day of the event, be prepared to field questions from volunteers and participants, such as details on where to go and when, what items can or can’t be donated, etc.
Gather necessary materials: tables, chairs, bins to receive food, and refreshments for volunteers.
STEP 3:
Get the Word Out AUGUST
FOOD DRIVE AUGUST 27
27
Post signs around your neighborhood or write a blurb for your community newsletter.
Post details about the food drive to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to get attention!
Include date, time, location and name of the organization/ event you’re partnering with. Specify the types of food you need: canned, boxed, nonperishables, etc.
STEP 4:
Follow Up THANK YOU!
Share your gratitude with the people and organizations that helped make the food drive a success.
Write thank-you letters, share your appreciation on social media, or write a positive review on the organization or event’s website.
2
Additional Resources For more resources on starting a food drive, check out the “Tools and Materials” page at www.mentorup.org.
Report Back Once you’re done, head back to the “Plan an Event” page and report your story for a chance to be featured on www.mentorup.org or get a little surprise from the Mentor Up team.
Need Help? If you have questions or need some more tips on event planning, contact the Mentor Up team at [email protected].
The information provided in this material is presented as general educational information and is not intended to be a substitute for professional, technical or legal advice. For full terms of use please visit www.mentorup.org/ourpolicies.
3
INSTRUCTION
PRACTICE
10–15 hours
4–6 hours
2–3 hours
Many older adults struggle with finding jobs and feeding their families. They might be facing personal hardships or be unable to work. Receiving a few items from a food drive not only gives them much-needed nutrition, it will also boost their spirits to know they aren’t alone! You can use your leadership skills, passion for helping people, and organizational know-how to run your own successful food drive and help others give back to their community.
STEP 1:
Understand the Basics
Evaluate the different types of food drives: Single-site: People bring donations to one location during set hours on a specific day. Extended: People bring donations to multiple collection points over a few weeks. Event-related: Collection sites are set up at a local event, like a school homecoming, sporting event, county fair, etc.
Identify a local organization that needs food. Examples include food banks, homeless shelters, faith-based organizations, and senior centers. Check out FeedingAmerica.org and HomelessShelterDirectory.org for some ideas.
STEP 2:
Take Action
?
!
Choose the type of food drive that’s right for your organization. If it’s event-related, reach out to someone you’ve selected to partner with. Determine the date, time, and drop-off location of the food drive.
Recruit volunteers. Ask friends, family, classmates, colleagues, and neighbors to join you in helping out the older generation. continued next page >> 1
STEP 2:
Take Action (continued)
FOOD DRIVE
On the day of the event, be prepared to field questions from volunteers and participants, such as details on where to go and when, what items can or can’t be donated, etc.
Gather necessary materials: tables, chairs, bins to receive food, and refreshments for volunteers.
STEP 3:
Get the Word Out AUGUST
FOOD DRIVE AUGUST 27
27
Post signs around your neighborhood or write a blurb for your community newsletter.
Post details about the food drive to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to get attention!
Include date, time, location and name of the organization/ event you’re partnering with. Specify the types of food you need: canned, boxed, nonperishables, etc.
STEP 4:
Follow Up THANK YOU!
Share your gratitude with the people and organizations that helped make the food drive a success.
Write thank-you letters, share your appreciation on social media, or write a positive review on the organization or event’s website.
2
Additional Resources For more resources on starting a food drive, check out the “Tools and Materials” page at www.mentorup.org.
Report Back Once you’re done, head back to the “Plan an Event” page and report your story for a chance to be featured on www.mentorup.org or get a little surprise from the Mentor Up team.
Need Help? If you have questions or need some more tips on event planning, contact the Mentor Up team at [email protected].
The information provided in this material is presented as general educational information and is not intended to be a substitute for professional, technical or legal advice. For full terms of use please visit www.mentorup.org/ourpolicies.
3
