Host a Drive

Host a Food Drive – Pathways, Inc.
Food Drive

Help us fill the shelves for Monroe County families

Every week, families pick up groceries and household essentials from our Family Resource Center when they collect their kids from Compass. Your workplace, school, congregation or neighborhood can help keep those shelves full, and our team will help you plan and run your drive any time of year.

We now accept fresh and frozen food like yogurt, ground beef and frozen meals. Just let us know in advance so we can make room in the fridge and freezer.
Register your drive Get the free flyer
The Pathways food pantry Volunteers sorting canned food donations
5,000 lbs shared every month
5,000 lbsof food shared every month
Weeklygroceries for Compass families
We pick upwhen your drive is done
Your drive, ready in minutes

Download our ready-to-go flyer

Skip the design work. Our Pathways-branded flyer already lists the foods and essentials families need most. Just add your details and hang it up.

  1. 1
    DownloadGrab the free Word file below.
  2. 2
    Fill in your detailsType over the highlighted spots: your group's name, dates, drop-off spot, goal and a contact.
  3. 3
    Print and sharePost it in break rooms, classrooms and lobbies, or attach it to an email. Color in the "Watch us grow!" boxes as donations roll in.
Download the flyer Microsoft Word (.docx) · 1 page
Opens in Word, Google Docs or Pages
What we provide

We'll help every step of the way

You bring the enthusiasm. We bring the tools, experience and support to make your drive a success.

Tools & marketing

A ready-to-go flyer you can customize, plus email templates, posters and promotional materials for your audience.

Get the flyer ↓
Advice & strategy

We share what works, from goal-setting and timing to motivating participants, from years of running drives.

Supplies & pickup

Collection barrels, totes, money shakers and donation envelopes, and we'll come pick it all up when you're done.

What to collect

What families need most

We accept all non-perishable food in regular (non-bulk) sizes. If you want to make the biggest difference, start with these.

Canned chicken Helper meals Individually packaged snacks Hygiene items Cleaning products
Canned goods on a table
Most needed

Easy dinners

Shelf-stable meals a busy parent can put on the table after a long shift.

  • Canned chicken and tuna
  • Helper meals like Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Roni and boxed mashed potatoes
  • Mac & cheese and ready-to-eat soup
  • Pasta, rice and tomato sauce
Volunteers packing bags of food
Kid favorites

Grab-and-go snacks

Individually packaged snacks go straight into lunchboxes, backpacks and diaper bags.

  • Goldfish and other snack-size crackers
  • Granola bars and cereal bars
  • Beef sticks and jerky
  • Fruit cups and juice boxes
Reusable shopping bags filled with groceries
With advance notice

Fresh & frozen

Our fridge and freezer let families take home the protein and dairy that rarely get donated.

  • Yogurt, milk and cheese
  • Ground beef or turkey
  • Frozen meals and frozen vegetables
Email us before collecting fresh or frozen items so we can plan pickup and storage.

We also always welcome

Cereal & oatmeal Peanut butter Beans (baked, refried, pork & beans) Canned fruit & vegetables Crackers Ramen noodles Jiffy & pancake mix Vegetable oil Taco seasoning & spices Honey & flour
Beyond food

We always need hygiene and cleaning products

These can't be bought with SNAP benefits, so they're often the first thing families go without. Every Compass family can pick up a few each week.

Personal care products

Hygiene items

Any brand, in sealed original packaging.

  • Shampoo and kid-friendly shampoo
  • Soap, body wash and deodorant
  • Toothpaste and toothbrushes
  • Pads and tampons
  • Toilet paper
  • Diapers (sizes 4–6) and unscented wipes
Cleaning supplies

Cleaning products

The everyday basics that keep a home running.

  • Laundry detergent and detergent sheets
  • Dish soap and dishwasher pods
  • All-purpose and toilet bowl cleaner
  • Trash bags
  • Paper towels

Stretch your gift further with Walmart and Kroger gift cards

Gift cards let our team shop sales and buy in bulk, so every dollar brings home more food and essentials than it would at full price. They're also an easy way for people who can't shop to join your drive.

Ask about gift cards
Drop-off: Monday–Friday, 7:35 AM–5:15 PM · 827 West 14th Court, Bloomington
Pathways volunteers Groceries and essentials for families Sorting donated cans
Planning your drive

How long should your drive last?

The right timeline depends on your group. Here's what tends to work best.

Neighborhood
1 day

A single-day drive works best, ideally tied to a neighborhood gathering to attract more donations.

Office / workplace
1–2 weeks

A clear timeline gives coworkers a chance to get into the spirit. Friendly competition between teams helps.

Religious / community group
1 day or 2 weeks

Most successful with internal promotion tied to a meeting or celebration.

Retail
1 month

A longer window lets customers bring items on their next visit. A visible spot near the entrance works best.

School
1–2 weeks

Gives students time to get excited and tell their parents. Classroom competitions drive participation.

Setting a goal
Start here

Estimate items per person (for example, 5 cans) × number of participants. We can't provide supplies without a set goal.

Tips for success

How to run a great drive

The most successful drives share a few things in common.

Get leadership on board. Buy-in from the top dramatically increases participation.

Appoint a coordinator. One person or a small committee owns the drive.

Set a specific goal for pounds of food or dollars raised, and share it publicly.

Encourage friendly competition between departments, floors or classrooms.

Send regular updates on progress. People respond when they can see the impact.

Remind people often in person, on signs and in writing.

Place collection barrels in busy, visible spots like lobbies, break rooms and entrances.

Add a gift card or online option so anyone can take part, wherever they are.

Volunteers bagging donated food
Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Yes! Just let us know when you register your drive so we can coordinate timing.
Yes, with advance notice. We gladly accept items like yogurt, milk, cheese, ground beef or turkey, and frozen meals. Please email us before you collect them so we can plan for pickup and make room in our fridge and freezer.
Yes. Walmart and Kroger gift cards let our team shop sales and buy in bulk, so your donation goes further.
Absolutely. We always need them, and a hygiene or cleaning drive is a great way to fill a gap families can't cover with SNAP benefits.
Yes! Download our ready-to-go flyer (Word). Type in your group's name, dates, drop-off spot and goal, then print it or email it. It already lists our most-needed items.
We can provide collection barrels, totes, money shakers (for loose change and cash), self-sealing donation envelopes for card or check gifts, and customized promotional posters. Request them when you register.
Estimate how many items each person will bring (for example, 5 cans), then multiply by the number of participants. We can't provide supplies without a set goal, so come to registration with a number in mind.
Tie it to an event, like a birthday, company anniversary, holiday party or back-to-school night, with a food donation as the "admission."
Run a competition. The department that donates the most wins a prize, like a dress-down day or lunch. If a big goal is hit, have a leader do something fun.
Create theme days like "Chicken Can Monday," "Snack Pack Friday" or "Clean Sweep Week" for cleaning supplies.
Ask for employer matching of food or funds donated by employees.
Use social media to post progress, shout out top contributors and build momentum.
Host a community event like a bake sale, cookout, car wash or yard sale to benefit the drive.
Shelves in the Pathways pantry

Ready to host a drive?

Our team will walk you through everything, from setting a goal to picking up the last box. Reach out and we'll help you get started.

Contact us to register Download the flyer Make a financial gift instead
Some photos by Joel Muniz, Nico Smit, Eric Prouzet, James Lo and Agnes Troszt on Unsplash.