Host a Food Drive

Encourage others to fight hunger!

Host a food drive at your work, school, congregation or event!

The food collected provides a greater variety of groceries for the community members we serve and is a tangible way for donors to visualize their impact.

Are you ready to hold a food drive? Learn more by reading the frequently asked questions below.

Food Drive FAQ

What kind of food is needed?

We recommend donating healthy, nonperishable food that you would like to eat! Here’s a list of our most needed year-round items:

Peanut butter
Canned tuna and chicken (in water)
Boxed macaroni and cheese
Shelf stable milk
Applesauce 
Beans/lentils (dry or canned)
Rice 
Whole grain cereals/crackers
Whole wheat/grain pasta
Canned soups/vegetables/tomato products (low sodium, easy open)
Canned fruits (in juice)
100% Fruit juice (cartons or small boxes only)
Nonperishable ready-to-eat meals (chili, ravioli, etc.)

Holiday Food List (no glass, please!):

Macaroni noodles 
Mashed potato flakes
Gravy mix (powdered)
Canned sweet potatoes
Canned green beans
Cream of mushroom soup
Cranberry sauce
Stuffing mix
Pinto beans (dry)
Masa
Cornbread mix
Cornhusks
Flour
Gelatin (strawberry or lime)
Cooking oil 
Cinnamon (ground)
Chicken stock
Scalloped potato (boxed)

Download a Food Drive Shopping List (PDF) ›

Please note: The Food Bank cannot accept glass containers, food one year past its ‘best by’ date, open or partially-used products, alcohol, food without nutrition labels, or any frozen/refrigerated foods.

Do not put cash or checks in the collection bins! Please give monetary gifts to Food Bank staff or mail checks to 4010 Nelson Ave, Concord, CA 94520.

What should I use to collect the food?

We recommend using boxes or bags you have on hand to collect and transport food.

How do I get a collection barrel?

We are happy to provide barrels or cardboard totes for large-scale food drives that meet our guidelines. After reviewing our food barrel guidelines, we welcome food drive organizers to request food collection barrels/totes via our form.

Where do I drop off the food?

Nonperishable food can be dropped off at our Concord or Fairfield warehouses.

If you collect more than 100 food items, you may contact us to schedule a pickup, if needed.

Our barrel is full, what do we do?

That’s great, it means your drive is going really well! Please email the Food and Fund Drive Coordinator at fooddrive@foodbankccs.org or call 925-849-8363 to schedule a pickup within 10 business days. We appreciate your patience when it might take a little longer, especially during the busy holiday season.

Will you let me know how much we collected?

We will weigh your food and send a letter or email with the total pounds collected.

Food Drive Sign-up

On behalf of our neighbors in need, we thank you for starting a food drive for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. After you complete the form, please allow up to 5 business days for the Food and Fund Drive Coordinator to process your request.

Company/Organization/School/Event*
Coordinator's Contact Info*
First Last
Phone Number*
Email Address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Event Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Do you want your thank-you letter mailed to a different address?
- Yes
- No
Mailing Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
What is the desired timeframe for your food drive? (start and end dates)*

Please allow a minimum of 10 business days from filling this form out to start your food drive.
What motivated you to host a food drive?
Do you need collection barrel(s) for your food drive?*
- No, we will use boxes and bags we have on hand.
- Yes, we can commit to fill 1 to 3 barrels and will plan to pick-up from one of your warehouses.
- Yes, we can commit to fill 4 or more barrels and will need assistance with drop-off/pick-up
- Yes, we commit to fill 4 or more barrels and will plan to pick-up/drop-off ourselves
Food Barrel Guidelines*
I agree to the Food Bank's barrel guidelines as described on this form.
Drop-offs (4+ barrels) and pick-ups are available Monday through Friday between 10 am and 2 pm. (Depends on city. Select Saturdays may be available for pre-approved, large-scale events only)

Community members requesting less than 4 barrels are requested to self-pick-up at one of our warehouses. This allows us to dedicate our drivers and trucks to our community food distribution programs.

The Food Bank will provide the following containers for use: branded 55-gallon barrels and cardboard totes (approx. 220 gallons). The use of any other type of food collection container is the responsibility of the donor.

Wrapping food barrels in gift wrap or any other material that covers our messaging is not allowed.

Damaged/stolen food barrels are subject to $75 donation to replace the barrel. Please keep your barrel(s) safe and away from outside elements such as rain and rodents.

Delivery/pick-up requests must be made a minimum of 3 days in advance and are subject to a 7-day waiting period, per our truck schedule and seasonal resource availability.

Food Bank Pick-up Guidelines
Food barrels must be full in order to schedule pick-up. Email fooddrive@foodbankccs.org to schedule pick-up. We are not able to pre-schedule pick-ups.

Community members/organizations that have not collected at least one full food donation barrel will be invited to return the barrel and any collected food items to either of the Food Bank warehouses (Concord or Fairfield).

Delivery/pick-up is only available for ground floor locations. Location must have adequate parking and street level access or ramp for barrel transport equipment.

One-day Food Drives
Barrels and/or cardboard totes that are dropped off and picked up on the same day require a minimum collection of 8 barrels or 2 totes (approximately 800 food items).

Year-round Food Barrel Locations
Barrels must remain visible and accessible during public open hours. To ensure food is fresh, we recommend a minimum of 3 pickups per year.

The Food Bank’s list of most-needed food donations is available on our website. Please, non-perishable items only, no glass, no homemade food, or open/expired food items.
How many barrels do you need?*

We request a commitment to collect at least 100 food items per barrel.
Is the delivery/pickup address different from your mailing address?*
- No, both addresses are the same
- Yes
Barrel Delivery/Pickup Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code

If not the same as your mailing address.
Are there any instructions for our delivery driver? (Hours of operations, access information, etc.)

Delivery is available between 9 am and 2 pm to ground floor locations only. Location must have adequate parking and street level access or a ramp for barrel transportation equipment.
Preferred Delivery Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Thank you for your flexibility since barrel pickup and delivery is conducted in addition to our regular food distribution routes. Please allow at least 10 business days lead time for pickup/delivery.
Other comments or questions:
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Questions? Please email the Food and Fund Drive Coordinator at fooddrive@foodbankccs.org or call 925-849-8363.

Host a Food Drive

Encourage others to fight hunger!

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