How to Host Your Own Community Food Drive

When looking to make a real impact on hunger in our neighborhood, collaboration can be a powerful tool. That’s why, at The Community Market, we’re not just another grocery stop—we’re also a dedicated partner in helping you host a successful food drive. We believe in coming together, supporting one another, and ensuring that everyone has access to nourishing meals.

Check out the list below and contact Hillary Scanlan at hillary@eaglevalleycf.org to get started!

1. Ready-Made Promotional Materials
Hosting a food drive can feel like a big task, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Community Market offers ready-made flyers and digital graphics to help you spread the word. Whether you prefer traditional posters or eye-catching social media banners, we’ll provide materials that make it easy for you to let neighbors know how and when they can contribute.

2. Amplifying Your Message Online
Getting the community on board starts with reaching out. We’ll help share your food drive details through our social media channels and newsletters. By tapping into our established network of loyal customers and neighbors, you’ll be able to quickly broaden your audience, ensuring that more people learn about your initiative and why it matters.

3. Highlighting Your Efforts in Our Newsletter
Our monthly newsletter goes straight into the inboxes of local residents who value supporting homegrown efforts. We’re happy to include a special feature about your upcoming or ongoing food drive. Sharing the story behind your cause and the impact you hope to make inspires readers to step up and participate. It’s a powerful way to personalize the call-to-action and rally the community around a shared goal.

4. Providing On-Site Support
If you’re collecting donations on-site at the market, we’ll help you create a welcoming space for donors. This might include placing a dedicated bin near the entrance, setting up an informational table with flyers, or even hosting a volunteer to answer questions. With these simple yet meaningful additions, we make it easy and convenient for shoppers to contribute.

5. Keeping the Momentum Going
We know that hosting a food drive is more than a single event—it’s part of a larger effort to build a caring, well-supported community. After your drive concludes, we can help you celebrate its success by sharing updates on how much food was collected and highlighting the positive impact these donations will have on neighbors facing tough times. Recognizing everyone’s efforts encourages ongoing engagement and a long-term commitment to strengthening our local safety net.

Top Needed Items

• Canned Proteins: Tuna, chicken, salmon, beans, and nut butters are valuable sources of long-lasting, shelf-stable protein.
• Whole Grains: Items like whole-grain pasta, brown rice, oats, and whole-grain cereals provide energy and essential nutrients.
• Canned Fruits & Vegetables: Look for options packed in water or their own juices, and low-sodium vegetables to support balanced meals.
• Healthy Snacks: Granola bars, dried fruit, and unsalted nuts offer quick, nutritious options for people on the go.
• Low-Sodium Soups & Stews: Nutritious, comforting, and simple to prepare, these can serve as a full meal in a pinch.
• Shelf-Stable Milk & Milk Alternatives: Powdered milk, soy milk, and almond milk are great for ensuring a steady supply of calcium and protein.
• Cooking Essentials: Vegetable oil, olive oil, spices, and low-sodium broths help turn basic ingredients into flavorful, wholesome meals.
• Baby & Personal Care Items: Infant formula, baby food, diapers, and toiletries are often requested to meet the needs of entire families.

Join Us in Making a Difference
We understand that running a food drive can feel like an uphill climb, but with The Community Market by your side, you won’t be starting from scratch. From supplying promotional materials to featuring your efforts in our online channels and newsletters, we’re committed to helping you bring more people together for this critical cause.

Together, we can create a more food-secure future—one donation at a time. Let’s harness the strength of community collaboration to ensure that no one in our neighborhood goes hungry.