Sequim Food Bank.org

Food Drive in a Box

Food Drive in a Box

This is a turnkey toolkit for hosting a community food drive.  It provides a step-by-step process for conducting a food drive to support those in our community with food insecurity.  With YOUR HELP, we can assure Everyone At the Table (EAT) is treated with dignity and has the food they need.

 

What You Need to Know:

1. Choose Your Dates
  • Recommended duration: 1–3 weeks
  • Avoid major holiday weekends unless themed
  • Set a clear start and end date so participants know when to donate
2. Select Your Collection Location(s)
  • Lobby or reception area
  • School entrance or hallway
  • Church foyer
  • Break room or staff lounge
  • Community clubhouse
3. Collection Box/Barrel
  • Ensure the container is large/sturdy, is well marked and visible from a distance
  • Keep it indoors and away from heat or moisture
  • Assure the box has the right information for what’s being collected
    • Refer to the “Most Needed Items” link
    • Do not accept Open Packages, Expired Items, or Homemade food, or Perishable Items
4. Promote the Drive (Everything you need is available for download in ‘Promo Materials’ below)
  • Choose the medium that works best with your group.  Use as many of these as possible for maximum exposure to your group:
    • Scripts for meetings or worship services, flyers, email announcements, social media posts, etc.
    • QR code linking to “Most Needed Items”
    • Encourage & Maintain Momentum by:
    • Posting reminders mid‑drive
    • Sharing photos of the collection box filling up
    • Tagging the Sequim Food Bank on social media
5. Monitor the Collection Box
  • Check every 2–3 days
  • Remove overflow items & lightly sort if possible (cans together, dry goods together, dispose of open or expired items)
  • Keep the area tidy and inviting
6. Prepare for Drop‑Off or Pickup:
  • Please box the items securely (Costco is a great source for boxes)
  • Be sure to label the boxes with your group’s name
  • Contact the Sequim Food Bank to coordinate your delivery at (360) 683-1205
    • For Drop-offs:
    • Address: 144 W Alder Street, Sequim, WA
    • Donation hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday – Friday
    • Connect with a Sequim Food Bank staff when you arrive
    • Park in the main paved parking lot; if food distribution is occurring on Monday and Friday, please park alongside the curb near the donation bin.
  • Pickup is available for large drives (barrels), schools, senior communities
7. Celebrate & Thank Participants
  • Share results with the group and encourage posting on their social media
  • Take a group photo with the collected food
  • Send thank you notes
Questions? Please contact the Sequim Food Bank at (360) 683-1205