Food and fund drives are fun and positive team
building experiences that can help your group feel more connected to the
community. Each year, hundreds of local businesses, school and church groups,
state agencies, individuals and many others sponsor fund and food drives that
benefit the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula.
Your efforts make an enormous difference in the
amount and variety of foods we are able to distribute. Even a small team can
make a big difference.
Additional questions about food and fund drives may
be answered by calling (757) 596-7188.
Most Requested Items:
Remember,
with every dollar donated we can provide four meals in the community and have
change leftover! No glass containers, perishable items or home canned foods,
please!
Most Requested Items:
Meats, Fish and
Protein canned
tuna, ham or chicken, beef stew,
Fruits and Vegetables 100%
fruit juice, canned fruits and vegetables
Complete Meals pasta and sauce, boxed meals, hearty
soups
Grains cereal, rice
Hygiene Products
shampoo, soap, diapers, toilet paper
Cleaning Supplies
laundry
detergent, paper towels
Five Steps to a
Successful Food Drive
Set a Goal
Set a goal for the amount of food and financial
contributions to be raised. Setting a target allows you to build momentum. The
goal can be based on the amount raised during the previous drive, or you can
seta goal based on the number of participants. Sometimes your goal may be
directly tied to a theme. For example, a
local high school holds a Peanut Butter and Jelly Valentine’s Dance. To enter the festivities, boys bring a
container of peanut butter and girl bring jelly! For purposes of comparing dollars to pounds,
count each dollar donated as equaling five pounds of food.
Promote Your Food and Fund Drive
Share information throughout your community and/or
organization to raise involvement early in the process. Publicize, publicize,
publicize! Posters, flyers, e-mails, newsletter articles, payroll inserts, and
public service announcements are all effective ways to let people know about
your food drive. It’s helpful to provide a contact person within your
organization who can answer questions.
Decide between Boxes or Barrels, Checks or Change
The Foodbank does not have boxes typically, but barrels
with posters are available upon request. Small to medium-size boxes (copy-paper
boxes) work well for food drives. We encourage you to use boxes for any drive
generating fewer than 150 pounds of food. Here’s an illustration of how barrels can be utilized to help you set
your goals and plan your food drive:
Barrel Size
Pounds Contained
Example Goal
Please Request
Large
100lbs
400lbs.
5-6 large barrels
Small
50lbs.
200lbs.
6 small barrels
If you choose to hold
a fund drive, you will need to decide how you are collecting the funds. You can collect leftover lunch change in a
money box (the Foodbank can provide these as well) or have individuals write
checks to the Foodbank. You can also
convert money into a money order or check to present to the Foodbank.
Increasing Value
Increase the value of your donation by delivering your food
drive items directly to the Foodbank. However, if you are unable to donate the
transportation for your food drive, you can arrange to have the Foodbank of the
Virginia Peninsula pick up your donation. Due to the demand for large donation
pick-ups and other regularly scheduled operational trucking functions, your
flexibility is needed and appreciated. Deliveries and pick-ups occur between
8:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Please note that during the holiday
season, our pickup schedule fills quickly.
Why Add Funds to Your Food Drive?
We encourage fund
drives for individuals and organizations who are interested in the best way to
help the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula fight hunger. For every dollar
donated, the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula is able to distribute more than
ten dollars worth of food to hunger-relief agencies.
Monetary donations
provide the greatest benefit to the hungry families, children and seniors in
our community. Even if you are already committed to doing a food drive,
consider the option of adding a fund drive. Many individuals would rather write
a tax-deductable check than pick up extra food at the grocery store for a food
drive. We encourage individuals to donate
in a way that makes them the most comfortable, whether it’s food, funds, or
some combination of those things.
Donation Amount
Provides
$10.00
40 meals
$20.00
80 meals
$50.00
200 meals
$100.00
400 meals
If you are ready to
get started for the registration contact Donna Tighe or Bill Fite at (757)
595-2507 or, if you received this by email, email it to DTighe@nnfoodbank.org and
to Bill Fite at bfite@nnfoodbank.org.
Food/Fund Drive Form
***Please
fill out and fax to (757) 595-2507 or email information to bfite@nnfoodbank.org
and DTighe@nnfoodbank.org.
Organization Info
Name of organization: ________________________________________________________________
Email for contact:
_____________________________________________________________________
Food/Fund Drive Info
Start date: ______________________________ End date: _________________________________
Goal (pounds and/or funds you wish to collect: __________________________________________
If applicable, how many barrels do you need? ____________________________________________
If applicable, how many money collection boxes do
you need? _____________________________
Will you (circle one) PICK UP THE SUPPLIES NEED DELIVERY OF SUPPLIES
If
you need delivery, what date would you like the supplies?
________________________
Will you (circle one) DELIVER THE DONATIONS NEED THE DONATIONS PICKED UP
If
you need pick up, what date would you prefer?
__________________________________
**One week notice is
requested for all pick up and delivery requests. Thank you!
Please assure that
your receptionist can direct Foodbank staff to where the donation is being
kept.
Thank you for planning a food/fund drive! Without
your generosity, we would not be able to meet the increasing demand among the
Peninsula’s hungry. If you need any help during the duration of your food/fund
drive, you may contact Bill Fite at (757) 596-7188 ext. 21 or bfite@nnfoodbank.org
or Donna Tighe ext. 11 or DTighe@nnfoodbank.org.