How You Can Help:

Food Drives and Donations

Virtual Food Drives

You can support Connecticut Food Bank's virtual food drive, by clicking here. Or you can host your own virtual food drive online! To see how it works, please check out this public virtual food drive sponsored by 99.1-WPLR and Junior League of Greater New Haven.

Food Donations

Individuals can bring food items to a Connecticut Food Bank warehouse in East Haven, Fairfield, and Waterbury. We will weigh your donation and, if desired, give you a receipt for tax purposes.

Food Drives

Food drives play an important role in Connecticut Food Bank's mission to alleviate hunger in Connecticut. Schools, businesses, youth groups, service organizations, theater and arts groups, places of worship, neighborhood groups, and groups of friends and families have all conducted successful food drives to benefit people at risk of hunger, and so can you!

Tips for a Successful Food Drive

Plan Ahead:

  • Get other people, particularly senior management, administrators, organization officers, teachers, friends and/or neighbors committed to the drive.
  • Choose a theme or name for your drive (for example: "Tons of Tuna," "Oodles of Noodles," "Halloween Trick or Trunk").
  • Set a goal for how many pounds of food, how many cans or the dollar amount you will collect.

Promote the Drive:

  • Schedule a fun kick-off event.
  • Educate your group about the issue of hunger.
  • Decorate a container to hold donated food.
  • Place posters and flyers in highly visible places.
  • Distribute memos or send letters to parents, neighbors, area businesses, etc.
  • Include flyers with employee paychecks.
  • Set up a collection schedule to collect certain types of food on specific days or during designated weeks.
  • Provide each person with a bag to fill with food.
  • Issue reminders throughout the drive.

Make it Fun:

  • Encourage friendly competition between departments, offices, classes, etc.
  • Challenge a rival company or school.
  • Conduct a raffle for prizes.
  • Offer Incentives such as stickers, pins and office dress-down days.
  • Reward groups and individuals who collect the most food.

Thank the Participants:

  • Certificates of appreciation.
  • Thank you cards or letters.
  • Throw a party to celebrate your successful food drive.

What To Donate

Please do not collect fresh fruit and vegetables at food drives. Please only collect non-perishable items

Food Items Most Needed

  • 100% Fruit Juice (cans / bottles / boxes)
  • Powdered Milk
  • Canned Vegetables & Fruit
  • Rice / Dry & Canned Beans
  • Chunky Soups & Beef Stew
  • Spaghetti & Sauce
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • "Sugar Free," "Low Sodium," & "No Salt" items
  • Tuna & Other Canned Meat


Personal Care Items Most Needed

 

  • Shampoo, Toothpaste, and Toothbrushes
  • Diapers, Detergent, and Deodorant
  • Shaving Cream, Razors, and Hairbrushes

 

Delivering the Food to Connecticut Food Bank

Because Connecticut Food Bank relies on volunteer labor, we consider delivery of the collected food to a Connecticut Food Bank warehouse as part of your donation.

Each of our warehouses is open for deliveries Monday through Friday. Click here for directions and hours. Please call to make delivery arrangements before you come.

When we receive your donation, we will weigh it and let you know how many pounds of food were collected. We can also provide you with information concerning the number of meals your donation will provide to people in need.

Thank you in advance for your time, energy and creativity. As a result of your leadership and interest, you have helped many people in need.

Contact Us

To arrange for your delivery of food from your food drive or for additional help with planning your food drive, contact Stefanie Stevens, Connecticut Food Bank Special Events Coordinator, at (203) 469-5000, ext. 302, or sstevens@ctfoodbank.org.