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San Diego Food Bank

GET FOOD DONATE TODAY VOLUNTEER

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Food Drives Hero

Spread the Love Food Drive Resources

Help Feed Your Neighbors in Need by Hosting a Nut Butter Drive

Support Tools

Download the following PDF support tools to make your food drive a success!

  • Spread the Love Toolkit
  • San Diego Food Bank Hunger Fact Sheet
  • Spread the Love Nut Butter Drive Poster

Accepted Nut Butters

Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, walnut butter, pecan butter, pistachio butter, hazelnut butter, sunflower butter, macadamia nut butter, and more!

Please note: For safety reasons, we are unable to accept glass jars or homemade products.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a food drive?

A food drive is an organized effort by an individual or group to collect food items for those who face hunger in the community.

Who can host a food drive?

Anyone can host a food drive! Individuals, corporations, faith-based organizations, schools, clubs, neighborhoods, and any other groups are welcome to host their own food drive.

Can I borrow the Food Bank’s barrels to collect my food?

Yes – the Food Bank will provide our famous red donation barrels, which 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.

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.

Is the barrel delivery and pickup service free?

Yes.

How big are the barrels?

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.

Can I use my own boxes for food donations?

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.

How do I schedule a pickup?

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.

How long should my food drive last?

The Spread the Love Food Drive takes place during the month of  February.

Can I drop off food donations at your warehouse?

Yes! Instead of using our pickup service, you may drop off the food yourself. We have two warehouse locations with open drop-off hours:

San Diego Food Bank
9850 Distribution Ave., Dock 0, San Diego, CA 92121
Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m.-12 noon or 1-3 p.m.
Note: Report to Dock #0 and ring the doorbell if the door is closed.

San Diego Food Bank – North County
2260 Oak Ridge Way, Vista, CA 92081
Mon. - Fri., 8-11 a.m. & 12-2 p.m.
Note: Report to warehouse doors on the east side of the building, facing Progress St.

Can people donate money instead of food?

Absolutely. Your gift allows the Food Bank to purchase nut butters and other protein-rich foods in bulk, stretching every dollar further and delivering protein to local families. CLICK HERE to donate!

Will you tell us how much food we donated?

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.

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San Diego Food Bank
9850 Distribution Avenue
San Diego, CA 92121-2320
1-858-527-1419 Local
1-866-350-FOOD (3663) Toll Free
Contact Us

Hours of Operation - Miramar
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

RECEIVING
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

San Diego Food Bank -
North County
2260 Oak Ridge Way
Vista, CA 92081
1-858-527-1419 Local
1-866-350-FOOD (3663) Toll Free

Hours of Operation - North County
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Monday
9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Tuesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. & 1 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

RECEIVING
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

THE JACOBS AND CUSHMAN SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. FEDERAL TAX I.D. # 20-4374795

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