Community Food and Fund Drives
Second Harvest Food Bank collects more than one million pounds of food and thousands of dollars each year through community food and fund drives sponsored by individuals, corporations, clubs, schools and associations.
Two Types of Food Drives There are two types of food drives that you can hold for Second Harvest.
- Regular Food Drive: Collect non-perishable food donations and monetary donations at your work, church or in your neighborhood. Scroll down to view our most needed items.
- Virtual Food Drive: Use our simple online tool to create your own online virtual food drive. For every dollar donated we can provide up to $9 worth of food value.
We're excited to give you
the option to organize a regular food drive, a virtual food drive or
both! Regardless of which method you choose, these drives make an
incredible difference for struggling families across Central Florida.
To speak with someone about a virtual food drive, please contact: Melissa Kear, Online Marketing Coordinator at 407-514-1010 or via email at mkear@feedhopenow.org.
To speak with someone about a regular food drive, please contact:
Mindy Ortiz, Volunteer Services Manager at 407-514-1043 or via email at mortiz@feedhopenow.org
Frequently Asked Questions: Food Drives
1. What are our critical item needs?
Please remember the special needs of infants and toddlers; they need FIVE to THRIVE:
Infants:
Powdered infant milk or soy based formulas (WIC-approved preferred)
Baby cereal
Baby fruits (single ingredient preferred)
Baby vegetables (single ingredient preferred)
Baby Meats (no meat sticks)
Toddlers:
Shelf-stable white whole milk for 1 year olds; Shelf-stable 1% (low fat) or skim milk for 2 years olds and up; Shelf-stable soy milk.
Canned fruits, preferably packed in juice with no added sugar
Canned vegetables, preferably low sodium or no salt added
Canned beans such as black, red, pink, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, pigeon peas, garbanzos
Shelf stable foods designed for toddlers such as Stage 3, Graduates, etc.
Other Critical Need Items
Fruits: Canned fruit (in its own juice, no sugar added varieties), dried fruit, 100% fruit juice
Vegetables: Canned vegetables (reduced salt/no salt varieties), 100% vegetable juice, spaghetti sauce
Grains: Rice, pasta, crackers (whole-grain varieties), ready-to-eat cereal (low sugar/high-fiber), oatmeal
Protein Foods: Canned meat/poultry, canned tuna/salmon (packed in water), canned/dry beans & peas (low/no salt varieties), peanut butter
Dairy/Dairy Alternatives: Nonfat dry milk, evaporated milk, soymilk
Meals: Beef stew, canned soup (reduced sodium varieties), chili, other canned meals
Other: Nutritional drinks (ex: Ensure, Boost)
Baby Food: Must be in complete, undamaged original packaging. No individual serving glass or plastic containers unless in an unopened case.
Non-food Items: Diapers, toiletries (soap, shampoo, shaving cream, etc.). Must be unopened and stored separate from food donations.
2. Where can you drop off your donations? Location One
Donations can be dropped off at our main facility located at 411 Mercy Drive Orlando, FL 32805 typically Monday through Saturday between the hours of 8am - 4pm.
Please come in through the entrance on Mercy Dr. and proceed straight to the loading dock area where your donation will be weighed and you will be provided with a receipt.
Location Two
The Lake-Maitland Civic Center is now accepting small donations at 641 S. Maitland Ave Maitland, FL 32751. Please note that this location is for smaller donations and will not provide receipts. Drop-off hours are Monday thru Friday from 9am until 5pm. They can be contacted at 407-647-2111. If you wish to do weekend drop-offs, please contact them by telephone first.
We strongly advise you to call us before coming to drop off to make absolutely certain someone is on duty to receive your donation. Please do not leave food donations outside the door —there is a 100% chance they will be stolen before we can receive them. Please contact our main office at 407.295.1066 to confirm that we will be open.
3. Can we pick up your donation?
It is best if you can bring the donation to us. However, in the event that you cannot- we can schedule a pickup (for 10 boxes or more in the fall). Note: Our drivers and truck schedules are completely maximized in the months of November and December—please allow at least one week advance notice for pickup requests.
4. Who should you contact with food drive related questions?
Mindy Ortiz- Food Drive Manager 407.514.1043 or mortiz@feedhopenow.org
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