Give Food
Food donations are one of the most tangible ways to make a difference. Our Food Bank depends on the generosity of neighbors who want to make sure no one in our community goes hungry. Every can of soup, every bag of rice, and every box of cereal adds up to meals families can count on. Donations of fresh produce, pantry staples, and household items help keep our shelves full and allow families to choose foods that meet their tastes, traditions, and needs—with dignity and care.
Why Food Donations Matter
Food security is the foundation for family stability. Access to healthy, familiar foods allows parents to focus on work, children to learn, and families to thrive. Your donations of fresh produce, pantry staples, and culturally meaningful items help ensure that no child goes to bed hungry. See below to learn about what we accept and how to give.
Ways to Give Food
Drop Off Food
You can drop off non-perishable items, fresh produce, and household essentials directly at Sister Carmen.
Drop-Off Hours:
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Location:
East side of the building, through the door to the right of the loading dock.
See what helps most right now:
Host a Food Drive
Food drives are an easy and rewarding way to support our Food Bank. Individuals, businesses, schools, faith groups, and neighborhoods can all take part—and we’re here to help make your drive a success!
Food Drive Toolkit
Use our toolkit for ready-made materials and step-by-step guidance:
- Download a general food drive flyer that you can customize in MicroSoft Word here.
- Download a community food drive flyer that you can customize in MicroSoft Word here.
- Download our logo here if you prefer to design your own flyer using another platform like Canva or Adobe.
- Download our financial gift donation QR code here if you wish to include it in your design.
Thank you!
Adopt-A-Shelf
Our Food Bank depends on steady, reliable support—and that’s exactly what our Adopt-A-Shelf program is all about. By “adopting” a shelf, you commit to keeping it stocked with the items our families need most, such as canned goods, pantry staples, or fresh favorites. It’s an easy, meaningful way to give consistently and make a direct impact.
This program is perfect for individuals, families, businesses, clubs, faith groups, and workplaces who want to give consistently and see their impact firsthand.
How It Works
- Choose a shelf or item category that you’d like to support.
- We’ll tell you what’s most needed and how often to donate.
- You shop for those items and drop them off once a month.
Your commitment helps us keep shelves full, predictable, and stocked with foods families use every day.
Give Time & Food
Hands-on volunteer projects are a great way to support our Food Bank while building community. These are perfect for families, student groups, scout troops, service clubs, and workplaces.
Neighborhood Collection
Organize a neighborhood pickup to gather food for the Food Bank.
How to Do It:
- Create simple flyers or use templates from our toolkit.
- Distribute flyers to neighbors with a pickup date and time.
- Ask neighbors to leave donations on their porch.
- Collect, sort, and deliver items to Sister Carmen.
Volunteer hours available for distributing flyers, collecting items, and sorting donations.
Sample flyer message:
“Hi, my name is [NAME], and we’re hosting a neighborhood food drive for Sister Carmen’s Food Bank. Please place donations on your porch by [DAY/TIME], and we’ll pick them up. Thank you for supporting local families!”
Snack Bags or Toiletry Kits
Perfect for groups looking for a meaningful project.
How it works:
- Collect items in bulk or host a mini-drive to gather supplies.
- Spend 1–2 hours assembling snack bags, lunch bags, or toiletry kits.
- Drop them off at Sister Carmen
Before starting, please contact us for a list of most-needed items:
What Can I Donate?
Our most needed items include:
High Demand Items
- Household Items: dish/laundry soap, paper towels, toilet paper
- Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant,
- Menstrual Products: tampons, pads
- Canned Protein: chicken, tuna
- Baby Items: formula, wipes, diapers
Regularly Needed Items
- Fruit: canned, applesauce
- Canned Protein: pinto beans, white beans, black beans
- Canned Soups & Stews
- Nut Butters: peanut, almond, etc.
- Grains: rice, flour, gluten-free items, pastas
- Canned Tomatoes: diced, whole, paste, stewed, spaghetti sauce
- Toiletries: razors and shaving cream
- Household Items: trash bags, pain relievers, vitamins
What Items Can’t Be Donated?
To keep our Food Bank safe and meet food safety guidelines, we’re not able to accept:
- Expired or opened food items
- Homemade or pre-prepared meals, including leftovers from parties or events (unless arranged through a designated community partner)
- Items containing alcohol (such as wine, beer, or liqueur-filled foods)
- Perishable foods without proper packaging or labeling — except for whole, fresh produce from your home garden that’s safe to eat right off the vine, such as squash or tomatoes
- Damaged, rusted, or bloated cans or containers
Thank you for helping us keep all donations safe, fresh, and high-quality for our families!
Food Drive FAQ
How long should my food drive last?
Most drives last about two weeks, giving people time to remember their donation. Even a single-day drive can make a big impact.
Will my group receive a collection bin?
To help reduce transportation costs, please use your own boxes or containers for collection. Feel free to decorate them with posters, wrapping paper, bows, or anything fun. Please drop off donations at the end of your drive.
Will Sister Carmen pick up the food my team collects?
If your group collects 250+ items, Sister Carmen can pick up your donations. Please call (303) 665-4342 to schedule a pickup.
Otherwise, please drop off items during one of our scheduled collection events, or Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM.
Can I bring items that aren’t on the most-needed list?
Yes! We gladly accept other non-perishable food and household items as long as they are:
- Not expired
- Unopened and in good condition
How should my group spread the word about the food drive?
You can:
- Share our posts on Facebook and Instagram
- Use posters and flyers from our toolkit
- Send email reminders
- Decorate collection bins
- Add messages to newsletters or group communications
Can I collect monetary donations too?
Absolutely! Financial gifts help us purchase fresh food and fill gaps. To give securely online, click here.
What is a realistic goal for my group?
A good starting point is 5–10 items per person—some people will donate more, and some may not donate at all.
Other great options:
- Set a “1–2 items per person” pledge
- Try to “Support a Shelf” in our Food Bank for one day, one week, or one month
For ideas or help estimating a shelf goal, contact us.