Helping our community is something we all wish to do, but it can be tough to know where to begin. Remember those school food drives from our childhood? They were simple and effective, but today, food drives are less common, even as more people struggle with hunger. In Southwest Florida, one in eight people, including one in six children, face food insecurity.
Recent challenges, like federal budget cuts and the government shutdown, have made things worse for families needing food. Now is the perfect time to step up and initiate a food drive to assist those facing hunger.
While financial donations are important, donating actual groceries often feels more rewarding. Starting a food drive is straightforward:
- Gather your group: This can be a business, school, church, or community team.
- Set a goal: Decide how much food you want to collect. Food banks usually measure donations in pounds.
- Create a theme: Having a theme can inspire donations, especially if it ties to a holiday or community event.
- Spread the word: Use flyers, social media, and word of mouth to create buzz. Clearly state what items you need and where to drop them off.
- Plan the drop-off: The Harry Chapin Food Bank has drop-off locations in Fort Myers and Naples during weekday hours. For larger donations, they can pick up items directly from your location.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank is always in need of non-perishable foods. Some of the most requested items include canned goods, breakfast bars, pasta, peanut butter, and canned soups.
Each month, over 250,000 people in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties rely on this food bank. Everyone deserves access to food, especially in such a wealthy community.
In addition to driving food awareness, food drives also foster community spirit. During the pandemic, many social media trends showed people sharing their food donations online, creating a ripple effect as more joined in to help.
For more tips and resources on how to organize a food drive, visit HarryChapinFoodBank.org.
Richard LeBer is the president and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, the region’s largest nonprofit focused on hunger relief. Visit HarryChapinFoodBank.org for more information.
