Host a Food Drive

Food donations drive our work to nourish neighbors.

Host a Food Drive

Food donations drive our work to nourish neighbors.

Host A Food Drive

Food drives are a great way to increase the supply of food and resources to neighbors. When you register, an optional fund drive is included, so getting started is easy.

Step 1:
Register Your Food Drive

Simply provide some information about your drive and request supplies.

Step 2:
Get Organized

After registering your food drive, consider the who, what, where, when, why, and how for success. Check our FAQ for details on donation drop-off and most-needed items.

Step 3:
Get The Word Out

Our Toolkit contains everything you will need to have a successful food and fund drive. From a To-Do guide and a list of creative ideas to printable posters, flyers and our official logo – we’ve got all your needs covered.

Food & Fund Drive Toolkit

From earning a scouting patch to joining a friendly competition among your peers, these volunteer events have something for everyone.

Get the tools you’ll need to help promote your food or fund drive.

“How To” And Getting Started:

– Food Drive Proposal Application
– Most Needed Items List
– Conduct A Nutritious Food Drive

Customizable Posters and Graphics:

– Food Drive Poster
– Food Drive and Tracking Poster
– Fund Drive Poster
– Food Drive Thank You Poster

– Food Drive Collection Sticker 5″X7″ bw PNG
– Food Drive Collection Sticker 5″X7″ PNG
– Food Drive Collection Sticker 8.5″X11″ PDF

– Houston Food Bank Logos and Photos

Food Drive FAQ

Thanks for your interest in hosting a Food Drive!

Your efforts make an enormous difference in the amount and variety of foods we are able to provide for people facing hunger. Here is a list of frequently asked questions to help you in launching, organizing and running your drive.

Your nonperishable food donations are not required to be collected in our bins or boxes to conduct your food drive. If you need to use our white food collection bins and brown packing boxes, they can be picked up at our front lobby at 535 Portwall St, under the big staircase.

To make sure that your food drive provides the most nutritious food possible, our Nutrition Services Department recommends that you apply these guidelines:

  • Use the MyPlate nutrition guide to select nutritious, nonperishable foods. These items are most useful to our member agencies in meeting the nutritional needs of their clients.
  • Please view our list of Most Needed Items and allergen-free food donations.

Food Drive Drop-Off Option 1: Local Partners
You have the option to drop off food donations at one of our 1,800 partners.

Drop-Off Location

Use this map to find a partner near you.

Drop-Off Days and Times

Please use contact information found on the map above to confirm donation drop off times and procedures.

Note: Hours listed on the map are distribution times, not necessarily full hours of operations.

Food Drive Drop-Off Option 2: Houston Food Bank

You can also drop off at Houston Food Bank – 535 Portwall St. Houston, TX 77029

  1. Dock 10 Drop-Off – Recommended for larger food donations and/or if a poundage receipt is needed:

When: Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm

Warehouse at Dock 10: A warehouse associate will weigh, and take your information for a poundage receipt.

  1. Lobby Drop-Off – Recommended for smaller food donations and/or if receipt is not needed:

When: Monday – Friday: 8am – 9pm or Saturday: 8am – 4pm

Where: Inside the Houston Food Bank lobby. Volunteers will direct you to where you can drop off once inside. Be sure to bring a mask if not fully vaccinated.

NOTE:  We are no longer conducting pick-ups and we ask that you consider the drop off as part of your donation.

You can also visit your local Kroger grocery store and drop your items in the Red Barrel at the front of the store.

Large scale, bulk and retail donations (5 pallets or more from the from the manufacturing, warehouse, agriculture and food service industry) should be coordinated with our Procurement team. If interested in making this type of donation from your company, please call 281-786-2676 or email donateASAP@houstonfoodbank.org. Find out more on our Bulk and Retail Donations webpage.

Your donations will make a great impact. Their first stop is in our warehouse where we sort, inspect and clean the items donated. Next, donations are packaged for distribution and will help ensure children, families and seniors in our community have the food they need.

People usually want to give money if they cannot give food items and that is wonderful! Please encourage monetary donations as well. Due to our positive relationships with food industry donors and our large volunteer base, $1 provides a full day of meals.

Please reference your group/organization on the check or envelope and send all donations via FedEx, mail, or messenger to:
Houston Food Bank
Attn: Donor Services
535 Portwall Street
Houston,TX 77029

Please note, if you are sending cash, we recommend that you send it via FedEx or messenger.

Individuals who donate online will receive an automated receipt via email. Individuals who send monetary donations to the Houston Food Bank will receive a receipt by mail.

Please contact donor services for any questions or concerns regarding your monetary donation, 713-547-8623 or email donorservices@houstonfoodbank.org

Most needed items

Shelf-Stable Snacks:

  • granola bars
  • crackers
  • trail mix
  • nuts
  • dried fruits

Canned goods (Low sodium, pull top preferred):

  • meats
  • fruits
  • vegetables
  • pastas
  • beans
  • soups

Drinks:

  • water
  • sports drinks
  • shelf-stable milk
  • shelf-stable juice (low sugar)

Other needed items

Personal Hygiene:

  • toothpaste
  • toothbrush
  • feminine hygiene
  • deodorant
  • toilet paper

Household Cleaning Supplies:

  • bleach
  • laundry detergent
  • disinfectant

We kindly ask that these items not be included in food drive donations.

  • Open Packages
  • Homemade food items
  • Perishable foods
  • Furniture
  • Clothing
  • Baby food
  • Tobacco
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • THC, CBD, and THC-related products
  • Any drug related paraphernalia
Food in Jars

The safety of our neighbors are our priority and we follow all USDA guidelines.

Need a printable version: Allergen-Free Click Here, Most Needed Items Click Here.

To learn more about Food Drives, please contact:

Brianna Conway
Corporate Engagement Coordinator