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About Us
The Challenge & Our Proof of Concept
After a three year hiatus of canned food drives, I created the Cans For Candy website to organize my first post-Covid canned food drive. Previously, the infrastructure of a larger local food bank had provided me with large collection bins, marketing collateral (such as posters), and I was able to create a collection point with my parents at my house. After collections, the filled bins would be picked up.
Without the infrastructure and the credibility of a sponsoring food bank that provided the coordination, we were left to come up with a plan. Since a lot of larger foodbanks made operational changes during Covid that remained in place, I thought that surely other local volunteers nationwide were experiencing the same post-Covid donation changes. This is why I created the easiest food drive template available, which you can get started right now.
www.cansforcandy.org became my proof-of-concept vehicle: within it, I have embedded everything you need to organize a small neighborhood food drive: (1) where to source cheap alternatives for donation bins and bags, (2) a branded experience (Cans For Candy logo, uniform flyers, prominent display of beneficiary institutiion), (3) intake information of the person organizing the campaign (Community Ambassador) and the Beneficiary Institution, as well as exit information at conclusion (how much donated and to whom).
How it Works
In a nutshell, with a few easily and cheaply obtained props (a repurposed lawn leaf bag as donation bin, some colored paper, some easily ordered grocery bags and a black and white printer), you can create your own food drive in about an afternoon.
Get your kids involved, and make it a fun neighborhood walk. Or raise the stakes, and make it a community center or church food drive, delegating several Community Ambassadors to distribute flyers & bags in their vicinity.
Why it Works
When we launched or proof of concept this Halloween (2024), we canvassed 2 local neighborhoods and were able to collect 45 donation bags, which were collected on behalf of Samaritan House San Mateo. In total approximately 1,200 meals were collected and made part of the ongoing food provisioning at Samaritan House.
It works, because it is simple, neighborly and fun!
