CANNA for MANNA Food Drive!

Organize a Food Drive. Follow these five simple steps to create a fun and successful canned food drive!

Canned Food Collection 101:

1. Set the Date(s): Anytime is a great time for community service! You can help relieve hunger in your local community by organizing a food drive whenever it is appropriate for your organization and your schedule. No time is too long or too short. It’s amazing what can be accomplished in one day! Or you may choose to support Manna’s mission each week or for a set time period that is convenient for your group. Just set the dates and let Manna know so that we may support your efforts!

2. Make it Fun: A food drive will engage all types of people in all age groups. One idea is to enjoy getting to know one another better while working in teams. You may encourage friendly competition between departments, offices, classes, etc. or challenge a rival branch office or school. Consider giving rewards to groups and individuals who collect the most canned food. The prize may be a fun trophy-like item that becomes a much sought-after sign of recognition or something silly that is awarded weekly and passed from office to office or from class to class if your food drive lasts for a substantial period of time or is ongoing. You could create a point system to match the nutritional pyramid - one point per can of veggies; three points awarded for proteins (peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken). Powdered Milk would yield extra credit. Manna can help you design a point system based on the most- needed items during the time of your food drive.

3. Promote your Food Drive: This can be handled in various ways: through newsletters, e-mails, posters, flyers and by including materials with paychecks, in children’s backpacks or lunchboxes, etc. You might choose to decorate offices, break rooms, cafeterias, etc. or choose a theme for your food drive such as “tons of tuna” or “oodles of noodles.” Let people know about the nutritional breakdown of what is needed by Manna. We would love to educate your group by sharing some statistics and explaining what we put in an average 17 lb. grocery bag of food that is to feed someone for five days. Each month we provide about 45,000 lbs. of food to over 2,000 qualifying clients in our community. Wouldn’t it be interesting to set a goal to collect ten times your boss’ weight in canned food during your drive?

4. Ask Manna for containers & pick-up: Our Programs Director (and resident food drive expert) Cathy Sowell will supply collection barrels and boxes to your organization as you prepare to kick-off your food drive. Just give her a call and she will arrange to have what you need delivered. Cathy’s office number is 850-432-2053. As the barrels and boxes fill up, call Cathy so that she can empty your containers to make room for more donations throughout your food drive.

5. Thank your participants: And be sure to let Manna know so that we may thank them as well! You may consider providing certificates of appreciation, thank you cards or letters, an end-of-the-food-drive party or celebration of your success or other reward system or recognition. Everyone loves to know that their efforts are appreciated and that they are making a big difference in a small way. Working together, your food drive can make a big difference in a BIG way in your own community.

We thank you in advance for your interest, participation, volunteerism and service.

For a list of most wanted items to donate and other ideas and tips for a successful food drive, please contact Cathy Sowell, Manna’s Program Director, at 850-432-2053 or visit our website at www.mannafoodpantries.org.

AND REMEMBER ... You CANNA make a difference with MANNA!!! Drive on…!

Leave No One Unfed!