Interested in Organizing a Food Drive for the
Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard (GEFC)?

(Time spent organizing a Food Drive could also qualify for community service hours if you are a student needing to complete such hours).

Just follow these 7 steps:

1) Find the right place and time for the event.

You could hold the food drive in your workplace or school or as part of a community activity like a dance or sports event. Ask for a food donation as admission to a sports tournament. Have a dress-down day at work in exchange for canned goods. Organize a theme-related food drive like requesting baby food on Mother's Day or school snacks on Labour Day.

If you are a student, you could also hold a food drive outside of school if you're involved in other organizations. Your sports team, faith-based group, or club may be interested in participating in a food drive.

Wherever you choose, don't forget to ask permission. The GEFC can provide a letter of authorization for you so that your employer or school knows the activity will benefit a charitable organization.

2) Contact the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard to find out what kind of donations are needed.

The GEFC can always use items like breakfast cereal, children's snacks, baby food, dried pasta (especially spaghetti), diapers, tomato sauce, and canned tuna or salmon (see printable sample list). But sometimes, we are in urgent need of certain items. Call us to find out!

3) Advertise the event!

Depending on where the food drive will take place, you can advertise by putting up posters, distributing flyers, sending e-mails or making announcements over the p.a. system if you are a student. Make sure you let people know what kind of food they can donate.

4) Let people know why donations are needed and how the food will be used.

The Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard provides an emergency supply of groceries to people who live in crisis in our community. In 2007, the GEFC distributed food to 18, 795 people, about half of whom were children. Approximately 20% of the food distributed comes from The Ottawa Food Bank, while the remaining 80% comes from food purchases and direct food donations like the ones you will collect through your food drive.

5) Thank all those who participate, and after it's over, let them know how much food was raised.

People who donate are often curious to know how much food was collected through the event. Let them know using the same methods you used to advertise.

6) Deliver the food to the GEFC.

Mondays during the day and evening as well as Wednesdays and Fridays are good times to drop off food. We are also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays but it is a good idea to call ahead to arrange a time. You would also be welcome to unpack food and put it on the shelves if you want to increase your volunteer hours: Monday afternoons are the best time for this!

7) Report your volunteer hours.

Make sure you keep track of the time it takes you to organize the food drive. If your workplace has a volunteer program, or if you are completing service hours, the GEFC will gladly provide you with a letter indicating the number of service hours you completed to organize the food drive.

For more information, contact the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard at 749-4728.