IDEAS

for getting MORE food at CHurch Food Drives

“We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us - and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help?” - 1 John 3:16-17

 “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me...I tell you whenever you do these things for the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me."   - Matthew 25:35-40

1. Name your food drive ( "Turning the Tables on Hunger," "BIG HEARTS/MORE FOOD," etc.)
2. Pick a piece of art or a photograph to go on all publications, website, etc so the photo of logo becomes associated with the food drive
3. Post posters in appropriate places telling people when and how often you collect and for whom.
4. Delegate a group of enthusiastic people to manage and distribute food
5. Promote food drive in newsletter, bulletin and website
6. Promote local hunger needs (see Pat or contact your local food pantry or look on Second Harvest Food Banks web sites)
7. Keep track of pounds of food donated.  After awhile this gets fun (as of October, 2008, Sunnyvale Pres. is now at 53 TONS of food donated to Sunnyvale Community Services over a six year period) See monthly Food Tally record keeping page done each month.
8. Be willing to take money instead of food on behalf of the agency you are giving food to (Cash buys twice the food of what retail food costs.)
9. Promote bringing useful food (as opposed to the stuff in the back of the cupboard like Hearts of Palm, Garlic Olive Dip, etc.  Good things to ask for are canned meat, soups, stews, canned vegetables, fruit, cereal, peanut butter and powdered milk, bags of rice, beans and pasta.  Tell people NOT to bring glass jars (make a mess if broken plus broken glass is dangerous), and outdated, dented, rusted cans.  DO encourage ethnic foods, BIG #10 cans, bags of rice and beans.
10. Thank congregation frequently for their generosity.

IS COLLECTING FOOD THE BEST WE CAN DO ON HUNGER? NO. But, it gets the issues of hunger in front of people, gives you an easy oppportunity to promote other hunger-fighting strategies, and it does help the local food pantry who gives away food and often is faced with shortages.

THE BEST thing you can do is work to advocate on behalf of the hungry. Improving rules, leveling the playing field, makes all the difference. Follow state and national legislation and write letters, visit elected officials, speak out.  Good references for advocacy include:

1. Bread for the World
2. California Food Poilicy Advocates
3. Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest

Need more ideas?  Contact Pat Plant, Hunger Action Advocate (408)279-0220, pat@sanjosepby.org