REGISTER YOUR FOOD& FUNDS DRIVE
Q. Why should I conduct a food and fund drive?
- Help your hungry neighbors. Hunger is a growing problem but it can be solved. The Great Plains Food Bank receives more than 500,000 pounds of product from food and fund drives each year. Your efforts will help us meet increased demand for nutritious non-perishable foods.
- Take an active role to end hunger. Everyone has a role in ending hunger. By working with the Great Plains Food Bank, the food and funds you donate will be distributed to your community and throughout North Dakota and western Minnesota.
- Join great company. Each year, hundreds of companies, associations, civic groups, and individuals conduct food and fund drives to benefit the Great Plains Food Bank. Food and fund drives are a great way to build team spirit and community goodwill.
Q. Is running a food drive difficult?
A. No. With a little planning running a food and fund drive can be easy. The Great Plains Food Bank supplies everything you need to help feed your hungry neighbors today. We can provide collection containers, promotional materials and, if needed, pick-up the food at the end of your drive. We will also provide you with a report on how much food you collected and the impact it will have on our neighbors in need.
Q. Why should I collect funds as part of my food drive?
A. In addition to food and grocery products, every dollar raised through your food drive enables the Great Plains Food Bank to recover and distribute $8.30 worth of food to children, seniors and working families in our community. Every $50 donation provides 150 meals to those who need it most. We encourage adding a fund drive component to your food drive for individuals and organizations who are interested in this effective and cost-efficient way to fight hunger. All donation are tax-deductible and a gift receipt will be provided if we have the donor’s name, address and amount contributed.
Q. What types of food should I ask people to donate?
A. Although cash donations are the easiest and most efficient way to donate, we appreciate each and every food donation as well. Our most needed items are:
Soup
Stew
Chili
Peanut Butter
Canned Meat Products
Cereal
Pancake Mix
Tomato Based Products
Boxed Meals
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Pasta
Rice and Instant Potatoes
Personal Hygiene Products
Paper Products
Cleaning Supplies There are some rules and recommendations about donating non-perishable food that we ask you to follow. We accept all non-perishable (not frozen or refrigerated), sealed, unexpired food. We accept unopened toiletries (shampoo, soap, shaving cream, etc.) that should be kept separate from any food donation. We prefer non-glass containers for the safety of our volunteers. We have some tolerance for expired foods but they must be no more than 3 months past expiration. We cannot accept baby food from a food drive
Q. What happens to the food I donate?
A. Once the food you collect is donated to the Great Plains Food Bank, it is checked for compliance with our food safety guidelines and then sorted and repacked for distribution. Our partner feeding programs network then places an order for the amount of food drives items they need to meet increasing demand and we transport this product to them on a monthly basis, effectively and efficiently placing the food and funds generated by your efforts in the hands of those who are most vulnerable
Q. Need a pick up?
A. Review these guidelines to see if you qualify for a food drivepick upfrom the Great Plains Food Bank. If you do, we will contact you near the end of your food drive to coordinate the pick up or delivery of your donations.