Ever wonder what happens to items donated through a food drive? Or how our iconic red barrels play a crucial role in fighting hunger across San Diego County? Let us take you behind the scenes to follow the journey of a red barrel during the bustling holiday season, from the moment your donation lands in the barrel to when it brings joy and relief to San Diegans in need.
Each holiday season, the Food Bank’s Holiday Food Drive brings in over 2 million pounds of food, and our red barrels take center stage. Often decked out in festive bows and ribbons, these barrels make appearances in offices, schools, places of worship, and neighborhoods — but their journey starts with you.
Stage 1: Registering a Food Drive
It all begins with a simple online form, setting the wheels in motion for a meaningful effort that mobilizes your network to fight hunger. Anyone can host a drive, from individuals to large corporations, and the Food Bank makes it easy. While food drives are especially popular during the holidays, when demand increases, they’re needed year-round to keep our shelves stocked for the 400,000 individuals we serve each month. Many groups find that a two-week duration strikes the perfect balance for participation and logistics.
After registration and logistics are coordinated by our Food Procurement team, our famous red barrels are delivered to your desired location — free of charge.
Step 2: Collecting Food Donations
Once the barrel is in place, the magic begins! Standing three feet tall and two feet wide, our barrels are a sturdy and iconic presence and can hold up to 200 pounds of food, enough to create over a hundred warm meals. Community members step up to donate our most-needed items: canned meats, soup, beans, fruits, vegetables, rice, pasta, cereal, oatmeal, and peanut butter. Groups get creative with their collection methods, setting up workplace donation stations, organizing neighborhood pickups, or even hosting themed donation events.
While food is the main focus, we also accept non-food essentials like diapers, pet food, household cleaners, and hygiene products. Every contribution adds up, and once the barrel is full, it’s time for the next step.
Step 3: Returning to the Warehouse
Filled barrels make their way back to one of our warehouses, either dropped off by the host or picked up by our team. The contents of each barrel are carefully weighed, and we share the final total with the organizer. This step is crucial, as it allows us to track the incredible impact of community-driven efforts. From there, the filled barrels are transported to our Sorting Room for the next stage. During busy holiday weeks, most barrels are organized in a staging area until space in the Sorting Room becomes available. The scene at the warehouse — rows of red barrels brimming with donations and stacked like building blocks — is a powerful reminder of the community’s giving spirit.
Stage 4: Sorting Donations
Here’s where the real teamwork kicks in. Volunteers sort through the donations, checking expiration dates, inspecting for damage, and categorizing items for easy distribution — a meticulous process that ensures every item meets our safety and quality standards. Donations are then boxed or palletized and prepared for their next destination. Thanks to our efficient volunteer network, items are sorted and ready for distribution within weeks, or even days, after arriving at our warehouse.
Stage 5: Feeding the Community
From our warehouse, the journey comes full circle. Donations are distributed to our robust network of nonprofit partners, who deliver them directly to individuals, children, and seniors in need. The San Diego Food Bank supplies food to over 700 programs across the county, supporting more than 450 nonprofit partners. From food pantries and soup kitchens to shelters and after-school programs, partners are able to self-select inventory that best suits the unique needs of their service populations. Canned meats, peanut butter, canned vegetables, and grains like cereal and pasta are among the most popular, but every donated item plays an important part in bringing comfort and nourishment to our community during the holidays and beyond.
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From registration to distribution, the life of a red barrel is a testament to the power of collaboration and collective impact. Whether you’re donating a single can or hosting a large-scale food drive, every contribution is an important piece of the hunger-free puzzle, providing hope and sustenance to hundreds of thousands of San Diegans.
Ready to join the mission? Register your food drive today, and help keep our red barrels moving all year long!