How to Have A Successful Food Drive!

NK Fishline is very grateful when a business decides to hold a food drive.  Thanks to the efforts of businesses and organizations in our area, we can provide nourishment to hundreds of area families in their time of need.

Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about holding a food drive. These answers can help you hold a successful event:

What is the best time to hold a food drive?

We are glad for food donations any time. Our inventory of food tends to get low from March through April and again late in the summer.

What items are most needed by Fishline?

Canned goods, boxed meals, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce are all popular and needed provisions for our clients. But we also accept fresh fruits and vegetables, so if you have an abundance of zucchini or apples from your garden, bring them to us - we’d love to offer them to our clients.  Click here for a list of our most needed items. 

(If you would like a bookmark-sized list you can hand out to neighbors in preparation for the food drive, email director@nkfishline.org and we’ll send it to you.)

What items cannot be accepted by Fishline?

We are not allowed to accept anything that has been opened. As well, we cannot take home-made items. But if food items are recently expired, we still may be able to accept and distribute them depending on the type of food, so go ahead and include them and we’ll dispose of them if they can’t be used.

Should we let Fishline know of the drive before it happens?

We are always glad to know of these events in advance, because we want to collaborate with you in assuring its success. Please use this handy form when coordinating a food drive with NK Fishline:  Food Drive Form. 

We can:

 Assist you in planning based on our experience over the years
 Provide printed materials for your use, including our logo, banners and signs
 Advertise your event on our web site, social media and newsletter
 Provide barrels for your use
 Arrange pickup of the food if you can’t deliver it.


Often, food drives are meant to encourage general donations of non-perishables. But don’t feel limited by this—you can try different ways of gathering donations that help specific groups of people.

For instance:

• Hold a drive to collect items needed for our Food for Thought Program.  
• Pet food/treats drive
• Packs of individually wrapped items that can be distributed to homeless clients.
• Toiletries and other essentials needed for families living in shelters.
• Fresh items from your neighborhood gardens donated during the summer and early fall.

Food drives can be a great team building activity for your business, organization, or community group.  Above all, work together and have fun!