FIND US
220 Herndon Street,
San Marcos, Texas 78666
CALL US
(512) 392-8300
EMAIL US
info@haysfoodbank.org
FOOD DRIVE TOOLKIT
Thank you for your interest in supporting Hays County Food Bank by helping to collect food to feed those in need! Food drives help keep our shelves stocked with nutritious food so that we may continue to feed the hungry men, women and children in Hays County. We welcome your request to host a food drive and hope this toolkit provides clearly defined roles for both the organization/individual hosting the food drive (the “third party”) and Hays County Food Bank.
FAQ about hunger in Hays County
What does Hays County Food Bank do?
We are a team of passionate individuals who are committed to improving lives through food assistance programs, nutrition education, and advocacy.
What happens to the food?
Donated food is inspected, sorted, and packed for distributions and partner agencies.
What does hunger look like in Hays County?
According to Feeding America, about 1 in 7 in Hays County are considered food insecure. This means that approximately 25,000 people in our county do not have sufficient access to enough nutritious food for a healthy lifestyle. Who are these people? They are:
How many households does Hays County Food Bank help?
On average, the food bank provides food to 750-900 households each week.
How can I get more involved?
We welcome volunteers! We have a very small staff, so volunteers play a vital role in helping us fulfill our mission. Volunteers drive our food rescue vans, sort through food donations, hand out food at distributions, and more. If you would like to join our team of amazing volunteers, please check out the Give Time page of our website.
FAQ about food drives
Do you accept financial donations as well as food donations?
Yes! Financial donations allow us to buy what we need when we need it and are also needed to keep our facility operating and our programs functioning. For every $1 donated we can provide up to 4 meals.
What times of year are food drives most needed?
We always have a need for food donations. However, our highest needs come in late spring and summer when school is out and at the end of the year during the holiday season.
What types of food should be donated?
We accept both nonperishable and perishable food items. Nonperishable items need to be labeled and sealed. Open items and those without labels cannot be accepted. We also welcome donations of fresh produce from local gardeners and farmers. Please visit the Give Food page for a full list of shelf-stables items we need.
Do you have boxes or barrels available for use?
We recommend that you use small boxes and grocery bags to collect food. Sources for free boxes and bags are your local grocery or liquor stores. This will make it easier for loading/unloading and storage at our warehouse.
Can you pick up my donation?
Depending on the size of your food drive we may be able to pick up your food. If your food donation is over 500 pounds (approximately, 500 cans), we have limited availability for food drive pick-ups, based on driver and van availability. If you are eligible to have your food drive picked up, please call our Operations Department at 512-392-8300 x235 to arrange for pickup. Our designated pick up times are Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm to 3pm. However, if you are able to deliver, please do, as that helps us maintain efficiency and keep costs down, allowing us to serve an even greater number of families in need.
What items should not be donated?
Tips on organizing and running your food drive
Hays County Food Bank does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.
Hays County Food Bank is a proud platinum partner of