Organize a Food Drive
Run a drive that makes a real difference.
Thank you for wanting to help your neighbors in Fairport and Perinton. Food drives are one of the biggest sources of donations we receive, and they make a real difference for local families. Here is how to run one with the greatest impact.
When we need it most
Our shelves run lowest in the warmer months
Donations tend to slow down while the need stays high. A drive during this window has outsized impact.
May through October
Start Here / Updated monthly
The Most Needed Items List
This list is the single most useful thing for your drive. It tells you exactly what families need right now, so every item you collect goes straight onto a shelf. Grab it before you plan, post it beside your collection bin, and share it with everyone who donates.
Step by step
Seven Steps to a Successful Food Drive
1
Reach out to us first
Before you get started, contact the Perinton Food Shelf so we can:
- Arrange your drop-off
- Coordinate volunteers
- Provide our current Most Needed Items list
Email contactus@perintonfoodshelf.org or call 585-425-7410 to get started.
2
Set a goal and a timeline
- A two to three week collection window tends to work best. It’s long enough to spread the word, yet short enough to keep momentum going.
- Pick a clear, motivating goal, such as a target number of items or bags of groceries.
3
Choose Your Format
- Workplace or school drive: set up a collection bin in a break room, lobby, or front office
- Church or civic group drive: many of our donations already come from local congregations and organizations, so this is a natural fit
- Community event drive: tie collection to an existing event, like a sports game, festival, or open house
- “Fill the Truck/Ambulance” style drive: partner with a local business or organization to host a single high-energy collection day
4
What to Collect
Please only collect items from our current Most Needed Items list. This helps us keep donations consistent and useful for the families we serve.
In general, we welcome:
- Unopened, non-expired food items
- Shelf-stable pantry staples: pasta, rice mixes, canned goods, cereal
- Regular-sized packages of food
We are unable to accept:
- Homemade or prepared foods
- Perishable or frozen foods
- Medications or medical supplies
- Pet food
- Feminine hygiene products
- Baby food, infant formula, or diapers
- Jumbo or oversized goods (they are harder for us to store and distribute)
Pair your drive with a donation link
Monetary donations are also incredibly valuable. They let us purchase fresh produce, meat, milk, eggs, and other perishable staples that we can’t accept as physical donations. Consider pairing your food drive with a simple donation link or QR code.
5
Promote it
- Post our Most Needed Items list wherever your bin is located so donors know exactly what to bring
- Use email, flyers, and social media to spread the word
- Send a reminder near the midpoint and again in the final few days
Tag or share with us so we can help promote your drive too
6
Collecting Donations
- Keep bins clearly labeled and check them regularly so they don’t overflow
- Sort items by category if you’re able to before drop-off; it helps our volunteers get food onto shelves faster
- Confirm your drop-off location ahead of time. Current options include the Town Hall drop station, the Fairport Public Library, and participating local churches
7
Deliver and Say Thanks
- Bring your donations to the agreed drop-off location, or contact us to arrange pickup for larger drives
- Let your participants know the final results. Sharing the impact (number of items, pounds of food, or dollars raised) helps build momentum for the next drive