Food and fund drives supply more than 150,000 meals to neighbors in need each year and lend variety to the bulk staples food pantries receive.
Donated funds allow EFN to purchase food in bulk, solicit food donations, and transport food to pantries all over the county. If you’re looking for a way to support Emergency Food Network from your home or work – consider hosting a virtual or in-person food and fund drive!
- In-person Food Drive: You’ll collect food and cash donations
- Virtual Food Drive: You’ll collect funds online by creating a custom fundraising page
Register your virtual or in-person food drive today!
Host an in-person food drive
Step 1: Register your food drive!
Once you’re registered, you’ll be put in touch with our Volunteer Coordinator, who can help you get organized. Be sure to browse through the downloadable resources below that can help make your drive successful. You can also set up a customized fundraising page to easily collect and keep track of any monetary donations you receive.
Step 2: Pick up your bins.
A general recommendation is to have your food drive run for three weeks and to pick up 2-4 boxes to start. You are always welcome to come get more if you fill them up! Please note that due to limited resources, we’re unable to offer pickup or drop-off services for the boxes. You can visit our Lakewood warehouse anytime between 8 AM -4 PM to collect or drop them off.
Step 3: Get started!
Find fun ways to encourage your community to donate. Review the most requested food drive items and then try incorporating a theme for your drive:
· Healthy summer snacks
· Peanut butter drive
· Everyone brings items that start with the first letter of their name
· Make it a competition! See who can collect the most nutritious items, fill their box the fastest, or raise the most funds!
How do I make my Food & Fund Drive a success?
1. Print a poster to promote your drive
2. Read through our most requested
items
3. Use this sample email to get an idea of what to send to friends, co-workers, and family members
Want to support a Food & Fund Drive but don’t have time to host your own? You can still make a big impact! Simply drop off food donations at any of the local businesses currently hosting drives:
- Tacoma/Pierce Habitat for Humanity: Ends 3/31. 4824 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma
Most Requested Food Items
Wondering what foods are best to gather during your Food & Fund Drive? Be sure to check our “Most Requested Foods Handout” above! Try to select foods high in nutritional density with the lowest saturated fats and refined carbohydrates (sugar, white flour).
Items that are most needed include:
(Note- Pop top cans are easy and accessible to open!)
- Peanut butter
- Canned stews
- Canned meals (Ravioli, spaghetti, etc.)
- Canned meats (tuna, chicken, spam)
- Infant formula
- Baby food
- Diapers
- Canned fruits
- Canned vegetables