Tips

Want to help raise food or monetary donations for Edmonton’s Food Bank?

Here are tips on organizing food drives

Get the word out

Create public awareness by placing promotional items (like posters, flyers, information brochures, etc.) in areas such as lunchrooms or elevators to build awareness of your food drive. Internal newsletters, public address systems, or mass e-mails can build anticipation. Use social media such as Twitter or Facebook.

Go where the action is

Provide convenient drop-off points where people can leave their donations. Try to put your donation boxes in a high-traffic area frequented by a lot of different people.

Find the needs and fill them

We appreciate every donation we receive. Please note there are certain items that we are always in need of. See if you can generate as many of the following items as possible: beans (with or without pork), canned fish or meat, canned fruit or vegetables, granola bars/cookies/crackers, juice, tea or coffee, peanut butter, powdered milk, soup, macaroni and cheese and pasta and sauce.

Be creative

Align your event with a pre-existing event, holiday, or observance. Reduce admissions or clever themes will help your drive become a success. But, don’t let us tell you how to throw a food drive – if you want to explore alternatives, we’re wide open for discussion.

Everyone likes a challenge

Make it interesting – try to create a friendly competition with neighbours, co-workers or other businesses and organizations. Challenge them to meet your contribution or to come up with their own food or fundraiser to generate even more in support of the Food Bank.

Play with your food

If you’ve got a flair for the artistic and creative, consider using donated food as your medium. In the past, some groups have competed to make Leaning Towers of Tuna and Mountains of Macaroni and Cheese!

It’s all in the delivery

Once the food is collected, it would be helpful to arrange delivery to the Food Bank’s warehouse at 11508 – 120 Street. The warehouse is open for delivery for Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.