Through the many years of hosting Holiday Food and Fund Drives, corporations have discovered creative ways of promoting and running successful drives. Outlined below are some examples to help inspire your group!
Watch a video of what others have done!
Host a Kick Off Event!
Host a fun event to kick off your Food and Fund Drive. There are a variety of activities that you can organize for a kick off event that will help raise awareness and money! Here are a few ideas:
- Hold a raffle with fun prizes such as having the CEO or manager act as the winner's assistant for a day!
- Host an event and donate the admission fees to the Food Bank. One company held a karaoke party where donors could bid to make someone sing. Nominated singers could counter-bid to get out of singing.
- Organize an auction with creative prizes. At one live auction, the CEO sold the shirt off his back!
- Sell treats, such as baked goods, sandwiches, or coffee drinks. Managers should be encouraged to prepare treats!
- Sponsor a carnival with an executive dunk tank.
CANNED FOOD SCULPTURE CONTEST
Each year the Food Bank hosts a canned food sculpture contest. This can be a great activity for a kick off or finale event. Teams work to build the best sculpture out of packaged food, using their food donations. An award for the best sculpture of the year is presented by the Food Bank at our Awards Event in February.
HOLD COMPETITIONS
Friendly competition is an excellent way to motivate people to participate in your campaign. Departments, buildings or management lead teams can compete against each other. The Food Bank can also help you track donations of food and cash for internal teams! If you want us to help you track for internal competition check out our Team Tracking page for instructions.
LEADERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
Many organizations get executives and managers involved in unusually creative ways. Leaders in your organization can become team leaders and champions for their participants. One company hosts a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich-Making Day. Employees pay a donation to have an executive or CEO make a sandwich according to their specifications.
HOST A RACE
Some of the most successful events held by corporations are races. It's a fun team building event that both spectators and racers can get involved in and it's a great fundraising tool. One company held an executive tricycle race. In addition to entry fees, employees were allowed to bet on the winner, with all money going directly to the Food Bank. The day of the race spectators could pay to have certain teams moved forward or backward at the starting line. These races can be done with single participants or as relays to get more people involved.