Organize A Food Drive
Let's work together to end food insecurity in Columbia CountyHow To Start Your Food Drive
Step 1: Decide When
Decide when you want to hold your food drive. Columbia Pacific Food Bank receives our biggest donations during the holidays, which is our most popular time to host food drives.
Step 3: Choose A Location
Determine when and where you will host your food drive. Common locations include:
- Supermarkets
- Churches
- Schools
- Office workplace
- Local businesses
- Fundraiser events
- Here at the Food Bank.
Step 2: Set Goals
Define the goals of your food drive, including the target amount of food you hope to collect, and the specific items that are in high demand (scroll down further to see the list of our most wanted food items.)
Step 4: Promote Your Food Drive
Think about how you will spread the word and how you will incentivize others to participate. Some ideas include:
- Creating and handing out posters and fliers
- Making announcements at school or work or church
- Write a press release about the food drive and contact a local community newspaper
- Do a radio interview on KOHI.
- Spread the word via social media
- Photo Opp with Columbia Pacific Food Bank
Ready to get started?
Why Hold A Food Drive?
One of the best ways to support the Food Bank (besides making a donation or volunteering your time) is hosting a food drive.
Food drives keep our emergency food boxes full and our food pantry shelves stocked.
Organizing a food drive with us can be a rewarding way to help our community, helping us to raise awareness about food insecurity in Columbia County, and inspiring others to take action.
In Columbia County:
1 in 5 Individuals is food insecure
1 in 4 children are hungry
$1 donation can provide 3 meals
Most Wanted Foods
Canned Meats
Canned Fruits
Peanut Butter & Almond Butter
Canned Vegetables
Canned Soups
- Canned meats – tuna, chicken, salmon, beef, corned beef
- Canned soup and chili
- Peanut butter and almond butter
- Canned fruits
- Canned vegetables
We also accept any packaged, self-stable food item as well as local produce both purchased and from your garden.
Please note: Many of our clients do not have access to a fully stocked kitchen. Ready-pull tab cans, easy-opening pouches, etc are encouraged.
Food Donation Guidelines
We are happy to accept donations of non-perishable foods that are in clean containers with ingredient labels intact. Fresh produce is also always welcome. If you have perishables that you would like to donate (meat, eggs, cheese, etc.) please contact the pantry manager.
We distribute the freshest, healthiest food possible to our neighbors in need.
Please note the following guidelines:
What We Accept
Canned Foods
Canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetabkes, canned soups
Nut Butters
Peanut butter, almond butters, nutella, and any kind of nut butters
Fresh Produce
We gladly accept fresh produce from your garden.
Shelf Stable Food Items
Pasta, cooking oils, sauces, rice, dried beans, oats
USDA Certified Domestic Meat
All domestic meat donations must be processed in a USDA-certified facility.
Unexpired Baby Food and Formula
Baby food must be distributed by the date shown on the package. Please be sure to check baby food often and discard any post-dated product.
Personal Care Items
We accept personal care items, personal hygiene items, laundry detergent, and dryer sheets.
What We Do Not Accept
Unlabelled Foods
Unlabeled food, or any food packages that do not list every ingredient, must be discarded.
Dented Cans
Cans that have sharp creases, bulges, or rust that cannot easily be rubbed off must be discarded.
Expired & Opened Foods
We do not accept food that is not intact, already opened, or past its expiration date.
Non USDA Certified Domestic Meat
We are unable to accept domestic meat that has not been processed in a USDA-Certifed facility. If there is no USDA stamp on the packaging, we cannot accept it as a donation or for distribution.
Homemade Items
Food that has been canned or preserved at home must be discarded. We only distribute food that has been processed by a commercial kitchen or company is accepted.
Over The Counter Medication
We are not able to accept any over-the-counter medications or medicine.