Want to Hold a Food Drive? Here's What Helps Most

Every week, hundreds of people rely on the Faith Temple Food Giveaway for fresh food, pantry staples, and support. Behind every bag of potatoes, every box of cereal, and every bottle of milk is someone like you, asking, “How can I help?”

One of the best ways to make a difference is to hold a food drive. Whether you are a business, a church, a classroom, or a small group of friends, collecting food is a powerful way to show care for your neighbors.

But not all donations are equally helpful. Here’s what we want you to know, what to donate, what to avoid, and how to make the biggest impact.

Start With a Simple Goal

Your food drive does not need to be big or complicated. It just needs heart, a clear plan, and a place for people to give.

You can:

• Set up a collection bin at work or church

• Invite guests to bring a can when they come over

• Challenge your team to collect 100 items in one week

• Use birthdays or holidays as a reason to give

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What We Need Most

Here are high-impact, high-need items we use every single week:

✅ Shelf-Stable Proteins

• Canned chicken or tuna

• Peanut butter (plastic jars)

• Canned beans (black, pinto, kidney)

• Dry lentils or beans

✅ Grains and Staples

• Rice (1 or 2 lb bags)

• Pasta

• Instant potatoes

• Boxed macaroni and cheese

• Cereal (low sugar)

• Shelf-stable tortillas

✅ Canned Goods

• Vegetables (low-sodium preferred)

• Fruit (packed in juice or light syrup)

• Tomato sauce or diced tomatoes

• Hearty soups and stews

✅ Baby and Hygiene Items

• Diapers (sizes 4 through 6 are most needed)

• Baby wipes

• Shampoo, soap, deodorant

• Feminine hygiene products

If you are not sure what is most needed, just ask. We are happy to help.

What to Avoid

We are grateful for every donation, but we also want to make sure what we offer is safe, useful, and respectful. Some items cannot be distributed.

Please do not donate:

🚫 Opened food We cannot give out anything already opened.

🚫 Homemade food We can only distribute food prepared in certified kitchens.

🚫 Glass containers These break too easily and can be dangerous in our drive-thru setting.

🚫 Bulk food with no label We need ingredient lists for safety, allergies, and food handling.

🚫 Unfamiliar or specialty items While well-meaning, uncommon ingredients are often passed over. Please stick to basics.

Tips for a Successful Food Drive

• 📦 Use sturdy containers or boxes

• 🧾 Label your bins so people know what is being collected

• 🙌 Deliver items in good condition

• 💬 Share with your group why this matters

• 📅 Let us know early if you are planning a seasonal or holiday drive

We have seen creative ideas work wonderfully, too, like snack drives, hygiene drives, “25 meals for Thanksgiving” challenges, and more.

It’s More Than a Can

A food drive may seem simple, but we have seen it feed hundreds.

We have seen classrooms refill our pantry shelves. We have watched a youth group collect enough to serve an entire Friday line. We have seen strangers become neighbors through the act of giving.

And every time someone receives those items, it is more than a meal. It is hope. It is dignity. It is the quiet reminder: you are not forgotten.

Ready to Start a Food Drive? We would love to hear from you. Reach out via our contact form, and we will help you get started. You can drop off donations on Fridays at the fairgrounds, or reach out to schedule a drop-off date and time.

From all of us at the Faith Temple Food Giveaway, thank you. Together, we are feeding families, building community, and sharing the love of Jesus in practical ways.