Feed our Friends and Neighbors
Food Bin Program
Food Bin Program
INTRO AND SUMMARY | What is this initiative?
We all know we need a sustainable approach to helping our local food pantries keep shelves stocked. Event-based food drives are great, but they’re a lot of work and the food runs out quickly. That is why we started the INW Feed Our Friends and Neighbors initiative.
It’s a simple premise:
INW members volunteer to put a collection bin for shelf-stable food outside their front door (on the porch, front walk, or wherever makes sense). These are our Bin Hosts.
Other people find the Bin nearest their house and help fill it up. These are our Bin Fillers.
Once the Bin is full, the Bin Host takes the food to their nearest food pantry or food distribution point.
Simple, right? The idea is that this is not a one-time food drive. Bin Hosts keep their bins out and the community keeps filling them up. We set goals, track our progress, and build community as we feed our neighbors!
MECHANICS | How does all of this work?
Well, it depends on the role you play!
Role 1: Bin Hosts:
Commitment: Keep a bin available for people to add food to. Whenever your bin has enough food, transfer the contents to bags and take it to any food pantry. Use our Bin Delivery Tracker to let us know when you’ve made a delivery!
How to sign up: Send an email to advocacy@indivisiblenovawest.org with the following information:
➜ Name
➜ Address
What to expect:
Your address will be added to the Bin Host Map, so Bin Fillers can find your bin and make donations.
(The only thing publicly available will be your address. Your name will NOT be included or otherwise publicly associated with the address.)
How to find your nearest food pantry or other donation location: It is entirely up to you where you choose to bring the donations. Any organization working to feed hungry people is a winner in our book. (If you want to see our list of potential locations, click here. It is up to you to reach out to your selected pantry to confirm the times and process for food drop-off. If you know of an organization not included on this list, send an email to advocacy@indivisiblenovawest.org so we can add it!
How to temporarily or permanently deactivate your bin: Please send an email to advocacy@indivisiblenovawest.org so we can temporarily or permanently take your address off the Bin Host Map.
Role 2: Bin Fillers - The Bin Filler Army is what POWERS this program!
Commitment : Use the Bin Host Map to find a nearby Bin to put something in once a week, once every two weeks, or whatever works for you.
What to donate: If you need guidance about what shelf-stable food is in highest demand, check out this list!
MEASUREMENT | How will we measure success?
We have two trackers set up to tally up totals each month, which we will report in our newsletter.