Have you thought about hosting a food drive to support your local food shelf but are not sure where to begin? Here are few ideas to get you started.
#1 Contact your local food shelf to find out when they are open and when you can make donations. It is also helpful to ask what kind of donations they are in need of most. Don’t forget to ask if they need perishable goods or if they prefer shelf stable products.
#2 Put together a list of the items needed and a goal for your expected donations. For example, you may tell folks that you’d like to collect a certain number of pounds or a specific number of boxes.
#3 Make sure folks know which food shelf they are supporting and give them a deadline for donations.
#4 Reconfirm your date and time to drop items with the food shelf. Make sure to ask if there will be help to carry donations or make arrangements to bring a friend.
#5 Look through donations to be sure everything is sealed and that nothing will break while you are transporting it.
#6 Enjoy yourself and be sure to thank everyone who helped you reach your food drive goal.
We can always use these items at the Montpelier Food Pantry:
Dried Beans or Rice
Dried Pasta (spaghetti, elbows, egg noodles)
Canned beans (black, red, chickpea)
Soup, broth or stock (canned or box)
Tomato Products (tomato sauce, paste, crushed, pureed or whole tomatoes)
Fruit (dried or canned)
Canned meats (tuna fish, chicken)
Canned Veggies (all types)
Peanut Butter/Jelly (any berry, smooth or chunky)
Mac & Cheese
Canned meals (stew, pasta, or chili)
Cereal (dried or instant)
Pet food
Personal care items