Nourishing Our Neighborhood: How The Community Market Supports Your 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 food pantry—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.

To get started on promoting your food drive contact Hillary Scanlan at hillary@eaglevalleycf.org

1. Ready-Made Promotional Materials
Hosting a food drive can feel like a big task, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our 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 for Your Drive

• Canned Proteins: Canned tuna, chicken, and salmon, as well as beans and nut butters, are vital for maintaining strength, supporting muscle health, and keeping hunger at bay.
• Whole Grains: Items like brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, oats, and whole-grain cereals provide lasting energy and essential nutrients—important building blocks for growing kids and busy adults.
• Canned Fruits & Vegetables: Look for those packed in water or natural juices, and low-sodium vegetables. These provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all crucial for overall well-being.
• Healthy Snacks: Think granola bars, unsalted nuts, and dried fruit to keep people feeling satisfied between meals. These nutrient-dense options are a better choice than candy or chips.
• Low-Sodium Soups & Stews: These hearty staples can act as a standalone meal, helping recipients stretch their groceries while still getting plenty of nutrients.
• Shelf-Stable Milk & Alternatives: Powdered milk, boxed soy milk, and almond milk ensure that those who rely on donated items still receive calcium, vitamin D, and protein—especially important for children and the elderly.
• Cooking Essentials: Vegetable oil, olive oil, and low-sodium broths, along with basic spices, help individuals turn basic ingredients into tasty and comforting meals.
• Baby & Personal Care Items: Don’t forget that some families are caring for infants and small children. Infant formula, baby food, diapers, and toiletries can relieve a huge financial strain while ensuring good health and hygiene.

Join Us in Making a Difference
We understand that running a food drive can feel like an uphill climb, but with our 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.