Food Drives
Help Feed Your Neighbors in Need by Hosting a Food Drive
Food drives are a great, fun way to raise awareness about hunger and mobilize the community to provide food for our neighbors in need.
Over 2.7 Million Pounds Collected Last Year
Over $350,000 Collected Via Virtual Food Drives Last Year
For Every $1 Donated We Distribute 2 Meals
Food Drive Options
Food drives are a great way to help the Food Bank. We have multiple options in place for individuals, groups, and organizations to help support the community by donating to the San Diego Food Bank.
Host a Food Drive
It takes just a few minutes to register your food drive in 3 easy steps.
The 200 Pound Pledge
A Great Way to Help The Food Bank
Food drives are a great way to help the Food Bank. With the Food Bank’s limited time and funds, we need to maximize our resources. It would really help the Food Bank if you can commit to collecting at least 200 pounds of food through your food drive. That’s about 1 food drive barrel.
If your office/group is small, you can still help by:
- Collecting food in your own containers and delivering it to the Food Bank.
- Donating food at one of our food drive drop-off locations.
Supporters Making a Difference
Food and Fund Drives
A food drive is an organized effort by an individual or group to collect food items for those who face hunger in the community.
Anyone can host a food drive! Individuals, corporations, religious organizations, schools, clubs, neighborhoods and any other groups are welcome to host their own food drive.
First, we ask that you fill out our registration form. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR FOOD DRIVE. You should receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.
Absolutely – people face hunger every day of the year. Although many food drives take place during the holidays, we encourage groups to host food drives throughout the year in order to keep our warehouse shelves well-stocked.
Yes – the Food Bank will provide our famous red donation barrels, which we can be dropped off at your location at the beginning of your food drive and picked up at the end. Our food drive barrels are 3 ft. tall x 2 ft. wide and can hold up to 200 pounds of donated food items. We also offer small cardboard boxes (18 in. x 12 in. x 20 in.) that can hold up to 30 pounds of food.
You are welcome to pick up these items directly from our warehouse yourself. You will be asked to indicate your preferences when you fill out the online food drive registration form.
Yes.
Our red food donation barrels are about 3 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide, and can hold up to 200 pounds of nonperishable food.
Yes, you may use your own boxes in lieu of our red barrels. Our goal is to make your food drive as easy and convenient for you as possible.
Your pickup will be scheduled immediately after registration, and you will receive this date in your confirmation email. If your barrels become full during your food drive and you want to schedule an additional pickup, please contact the Food Bank and we will stop by on our next available pickup time.
The Food Bank has no restrictions on how long or short your food drive should last, but two weeks is a good place to start. This will allow your group to reach your goal without getting burnt out.
Yes! Instead of using our pickup service, you may drop off the food yourself. Stop by the Food Bank anytime Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 12 noon or 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Our address is 9850 Distribution Ave., Dock 0, San Diego, CA 92121.
The Food Bank always needs a variety of nonperishable goods, such as canned tuna, canned chicken, canned fruit, peanut butter, beans and cereal. For the complete list, please see our Most Needed Food Items List. Due to safety regulations, we cannot accept home-made goods, glass jars or alcohol of any kind.
Yes, we also accept household cleaners, pet food, baby diapers and hygienic products. Please keep all non-food items separated from food items.
Absolutely. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can purchase the equivalent of 2 meals. CLICK HERE to donate!
Yes, the Food Bank weighs everything that comes in and out of our warehouse, so once your food drive is over, we will weigh all of the donations and let you know how much food you raised.
Have more questions? Please email the Food Bank’s Food Procurement Team, here.
Want to Drop Off Food?
Stop by our San Diego Food Bank’s warehouse in Miramar or our North County Food Bank chapter’s warehouse in Vista to donate. We also have a long list of public donation drop off sites that may be closer to your area.
Have Questions?
We’re here to help!
Please contact the Food Bank’s Food Procurement Team
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