HEAT OR EAT? For many of the families and individuals we serve, the cold winter months bring about a difficult decision – pay the heating bill or buy groceries? Help us fill the pantries of Delawareans in need by hosting a “heat or eat” food drive during the months of January and February.
Do you have hundreds of pounds or just a few boxes or bags? No matter the size we’ll use your donation to feed Delawareans in need. If you have safe, edible foods or food ingredients, we can find a way to use them. Whether you want to hold a food drive in your neighborhood, office or school, we’ll help you make sure your food drive is the best ever! Food drives are simple and easy.
Follow these five simple steps to ensure a successful drive:
- Plan ahead. Set the date for your food drive and determine what types of food you’ll collect. Don’t forget to identify supplies that may be needed – collection boxes, signage etc.
- If your organization collects more than 20 boxes/bags of food, we’ll arrange to pick up the donation. If you collect less than 20, we ask that you drop them off to one of our warehouses or one of our statewide drop-off locations.
- Set your goal. How much do you want to collect? Will you measure by boxes or pounds collected? Do you want to have a challenge with another department or class?
- Get everyone involved. Company management or governing boards can help motivate individuals by setting a standard for participation. Consider a match program where a company or individual matches what is collected with a cash donation.
- Promote your food drive. Make signs, send e-mails – get the word out there! Make sure you let participants know what types of food products are being collected, where donations can be dropped off and how long the drive will last.
For more information about hosting a food drive, please contact Jim Weir, Operations Director, at (302) 444-8073 or jweir@fbd.org.
Click here for our food drive shopping list!
Food Drive Tools
Download our Food Drive Organizational Kit
Download a shopping list of our most-needed items for the Backpack Program
Download a poster to help promote your food drive
Download a “donate food here” sign to place on boxes or barrels