Frequently Asked Questions

ENROLLMENT & SUPPLIES

1. How do I sign my organization up for a Food and Fund Drive?
Go to www.2harvest.org/drive and click the Start a Drive button. Once we receive your registration, we’ll send you a confirmation email.

2. What does Second Harvest Heartland provide for my drive?
We provide all the basic materials for a drive, including colorful donation boxes and promotional items. Online materials include a detailed Coordinator’s Manual, customizable posters and email blast templates, along with access to web tools to create your own Food & Fund Drive page.

3. How do I get my materials?
Everyone who registers to coordinate a Food & Fund Drive receives a Coordinator’s Kit in the mail. The kit includes a cash donation box, a progress thermometer poster and a return label for easy mailing of your monetary donations after the end of your drive. Coordinator Kits are automatically mailed to you after registration and should arrive about five days after your confirmation email. We also have sturdy, brightly-colored food collection boxes available for pickup at either of our two warehouse locations. To arrange a pickup of food boxes or other materials, contact us at drive@2harvest.org.

4. Where are you located?

5. What are your donation hours?
Our Maplewood Distribution Center accepts food donations from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please use Door 34 on the North side of the building. If necessary, special arrangements can be made for an alternative time. Our location in Golden Valley accepts food donations from 8:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both locations are closed Saturday & Sunday.

6. What do I do with left over materials?
You can drop supplies off directly at one of our two distribution sites or mail them to the Maplewood location.

7. Can I drop food donations off at Second Harvest Heartland?
Yes! We are happy to accept drop off donations. Please see our Donation Hours in #5 above.

FINANCIAL DONATIONS

8. How do I turn in financial donations?
The easiest thing to do is to place your monetary donations into a secure envelope, attach the Return Label provided in your Coordinator’s Kit, and drop it in the mail. If you’d rather hand deliver your Food & Fund Drive’s donation, you can drop it at our Maplewood location. Make sure your organization's name is on the envelope, so we know which Food & Fund drive the donation came from.

9. How do my donors receive their tax donation receipt?
Each donor donating at least $10 by cash or check can receive a thank you letter/tax receipt. For cash donors, you will need to collect the donor’s information on the Donation Tracking Form, available to download at www.2harvest.org/managemydrive. This form must be sent to Second Harvest Heartland along with the cash and check donations. Be sure to collect the following information: Donor name, complete address, donation amount and gift date. Those who donate online will automatically receive a thank you email with a tax receipt enclosed.

10. How do I handle my company's matching gifts?
Many corporations have a matching gift program. Please consult your Human Resources department to see if your company matches charitable contributions. When making a contribution that your company will match, be sure to enclose the paperwork required by your company with your gift.

11. How are online and mail-in donations counted toward my organization’s Food & Fund Drive total?
Donors who give to your Food & Fund Drive online can go to your Drive Homepage and donate directly to your drive. These donations are immediately reflected on your Progress Thermometer. If a donor chooses to donate to your drive by mailing a check directly to Second Harvest Heartland, we can only credit your Food & Fund Drive with the donation if the donor clearly states that information. Be sure to instruct your donors to CLEARLY attach your drive or organization name to any mail-in donations.

MISCELLANEOUS

13. How much does a Food Donation box hold?
The Second Harvest Heartland Food Donation boxes hold approximately 80 pounds of food, or roughly enough to serve about 60 meals.

14. How long should I hold my drive?
You set the length of your drive. The average length is 1-2 weeks.

15. How should I set my goal?
The easiest way is to base your goals on the amount of food and funds you raised last year. If this is your first time coordinating a Food & Fund Drive, figure out how many people are likely to participate. Choose a dollar amount and food in pounds that you feel is reasonable for your donors to contribute during your Food & Fund Drive. For example you could assume each person will donate $5 or 5 pounds of food. This can give you a ballpark figure to shoot for. Your goals don’t have to be exact. They simply provide your organization with a target.

Example 1 An organization with 300 people: 300 people x $5 per person = $1,500

Example 2 An organization with 300 people: 300 people x 5 pounds per person= 1,500 pounds of food

16. What are the most needed food items?
Although cash donations are the easiest and most efficient way to donate, we appreciate each and every food donation as well. Our most needed items:

• Meats, fish and protein - canned tuna, ham or chicken, beef stew, chili, peanut butter, canned/dried beans
• Fruits and vegetables - 100% fruit juice, canned fruits and vegetables, instant potatoes, fruit preserves
• Complete meals - pasta & sauce, boxed meals, hearty soups
• Grains - cereal, rice
• Hygiene products - shampoo, deodorant, soap, diapers, toilet paper, feminine hygiene, toothpaste
• Cleaning supplies - laundry detergent, paper towels, kitchen and bathroom cleaners
• Please don’t accept glass containers, perishable items or home-canned foods.