• Select a recipient(s) to receive your donations – this can be your local food bank that provides food or meals to those in need. 
• Contact the organization – they can let you know what items are most needed at the time of your food drive. 
• Determine how many supplies you will need 
• Create posters and flyers to generate awareness of hunger issues and food drives.

• Create a theme! Make it FUN! Themes often help generate excitement around a food drive and aid in the creation of promotional materials.
• Set beginning and end dates for the drive.
• Determine collection sites and who will deliver items to your recipient (s) at the end of the drive.
• Set a goal for how much food and/or money to collect 
• Communicate above information to all participants.

• Create promotional materials that will help build awareness about hunger issues, your food drive, and encourage maximum participation..
• Distribute flyers and posters around your community.
• Use slogans that relate to your school and the food drive.
• Afterwards, announce the results of your collection efforts to your community.

• Is it important that both donors and the organization’s members are educated about hunger problems and hosting a drive.

• Recognize committee members, participants, sponsors and volunteers for their hard work. 
• Check-in with the receiving organization(s) after the delivery of the donations. It is important to keep the lines of communication open even after the food drive has ended.

Halloween

• “Take the Mystery Out of Giving”
• “In the Spirit of Giving”
• “Dare to Care”
• “Treat” Your Neighbor Right
• Pumpkin Carving Contest

Thanksgiving

• “Give Thanks-Give Food”
• Turkey and Chicken Drive
• “Share the Bounty”

Summer

• “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation”
• Summertime Drive
• Summer Lunch for Kids

Winter

• “Spread the Cheer This Time of Year”
• “Tis the Season for Giving”
• Kwanza Harvest Display
• Kosher Food Drive

Whether you are a community center, church, business, or a resident in your local community, organizing a food drive brings real change and empowerment. Be the change you wish to see! 

Source: Redwood Empire Food Bank, Food & Funds Drive Kit www.refb.org