Many children and families are hungry because they do not have enough food to eat. The good news is that you can help! Your family can do a food drive in your very own neighborhood or you can coordinate a food drive at your school or workplace! It’s easy. Here’s what to do.

Food Drive Hosting Checklist

• Contact Mike Cox, our Food Bank Manager, at (206) 694-6722 and talk to him about when and where you’d like to hold your drive. He will be a great resource in helping you coordinate your drive. Although the holidays are a popular time of year, food is needed year-round. You might consider holding a drive in the spring or summer when supply is especially low. Hosting a themed food drive, such as a baby supply drive (formula, diapers, baby food) is a great idea.
• Decide how long to hold your food drive. Will it be one day, one week, one month? Or perhaps this is an ongoing effort? It’s entirely up to you.
• Do you want to collect food, money or both? FamilyWorks can buy three times as much food for the dollar through a food purchasing agreement. We can also issue food collection boxes if you’re hosting a drive.
• Host your food drive and give it plenty of support: Email your co-workers, friends and neighbors to rally support. Make good use of the flyers and choose central locations for your food collection boxes. Hold a contest between departments, classes, troops, etc. to see who can raise the most. Offer incentives for those who contribute the most to your drive.
• Make arrangements to deliver the food to FamilyWorks when staff is sure to be here to accept it. In limited circumstances, FamilyWorks can pick-up the food. Call to arrange.
• Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!