Ages 12 and up - You and your guests can tour our warehouse, then experience the Food Bank hands-on with a 2-hour volunteer shift. After your shift, enjoy your party in our conference room. Bring your own decorations, cake, ice cream, food – the volunteer shift can accommodate up to 15 young people.

Volunteer Birthday Parties are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Please note: At least 1 adult for every 3 young people must accompany the volunteer shift.

There is no charge to have your birthday party at the San Diego Food Bank, however a donation of food or money is always appreciated. A Food Bank barrel or donation canister will be provided at your request.

Consider adding a Virtual Food Drive to your party. A custom Virtual Food Drive
webpage can be created just for you –"Michael's 10th Birthday Food Drive." Add the link to your invitations where guests can make a donation to the SDFB in your honor.

A reservation for birthday parties is required. Please call or email at least 3 weeks in
advance to ensure we can host your group. Contact Michelle at 858-863-5130, or mdanks@sandiegofoodbank.org.

Ask about our free San Diego Food Bank e-vite when making your reservations.

Hold a Fundraiser
For every dollar donated to the San Diego Food Bank, we can provide 3 meals to hungry families, children and seniors in our community. Help us feed hungry kids!

• Have a yard sale with your family to benefit the Food Bank. It's a great way to clean out your closet and get rid of that stuff hanging around in your garage. Turn those unused and unwanted toys, games, stuffed animals, etc. into cash for the hungry.
  
  
• Create labels and decorate jars to collect pennies and change at school, from friends, family and neighbors. (Samples: "Money for Meals" "Pennies for Protein" "Dimes for Dinners")
  
  
• Recycle! A great way to help the environment and feed hungry people! Ask friends and neighbors to save aluminum, plastic, glass and steel beverage containers containing "CRV" (California Redemption Value) on the label or cap and take it to your nearest recycling center to redeem for cash.
  
  
• Have a dance off, skate-a-thon, surf contest, Wii bowling tournament. Create your own activity or event to raise money.

Host a Food Drive at Your School or Youth Organization
This is an excellent way to get involved with the San Diego Food Bank! Here are some tips to help make your Food Drive a success:

Plan Ahead - Recruit friends and family to help. Determine how long you want to host your drive and give ample time to promote your food drive and get the word out.

Set a Goal - How many barrels or boxes full of food would you like to collect? How many pounds? Will it be a contest among other students or perhaps teachers vs. students?

Promote your Food Drive - Hang posters, pass out flyers, email friends and family, tell your neighbors. Be creative!

Build Awareness and Visibility – Hunger is a critical issue in San Diego County. Use your food drive as a way to increase awareness and give people in your community an opportunity to help. Distribute information about the San Diego Food Bank, bring friends and family in for a tour of the Food Bank, volunteer, follow us on Facebook and email a link to our website to all your friends: www.sandiegofoodbank.org

Make it Fun! – Use your imagination! Create competitions or themes such as "Macaroni Mondays" or "Fruity Fridays." Collect food in a category such as "Protein Power" (beans, peanut butter, canned tuna), "Soup for the Soul" (canned and packaged soups) or "Kid Friendly Food" (granola bars, fruit cups, juice boxes).

Celebrate Your Success – Send us your success story to share on our Facebook page. Publicize your success by letting your school or organization know how many pounds of food and dollars you raised to fight hunger. Email Michelle at mdanks@sandiegofoodbank.org with your food drive success story.