Food Drives are collection efforts that gather supplies rather than money from a number of different people. All have an organizer, which can be an individual or a club (like a scout troop), and they collect from either the general public or from a specific group (like a church congregation). Food drives help us collect donations to keep our shelves stocked, and are also a great way to raise awareness about hunger in your community and encourage others to help. Hunger affects every community, but many people don’t realize it.
There are several steps to having a successful Food Drive.
Contact the Food Bank Network first
We can help you choose the best timing, offer advice and suggestions, and identify the items most needed at the time. You should also have permission from us to ask for donations in our name.
Food drives help food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens collect food donations to keep their shelves stocked. Food drives are also a great way to raise awareness about hunger in your community and encourage others to help. Hunger affects every community, but many people don’t realize it.
A virtual food drive is a great option if you cannot collect donations in person or are unable to deliver donations to your local food bank. Instead you could direct donors to The Food Bank Network of Somerset County website donations page (www.somersetfoodbank.org/give funds) so they can make a donation.
Food Drives can last however long you’d like but often at least two weeks is the best plan. However, even a single day's effort can feed a lot of hungry people, and every effort is valuable.
The items most needed by the Food Bank are provided here. Of course, even items not on the list are greatly appreciated. Please avoid collecting anything perishable (unless you have made special arrangements with the Food Bank ahead of time), items in glass bottles, and alcoholic beverages.
In most cases we will be unable to pick up your food donations and request that you deliver them to our warehouse at 7E Easy Street, Middlebrook Crossroads Industrial Park, Bound Brook, NJ 08805 at a pre-arranged time.
In most cases we will be unable to pick up your food donations and request that you deliver them to our warehouse at 7E Easy Street, Middlebrook Crossroads Industrial Park, Bound Brook, NJ 08805 at a pre-arranged time.