In 2023, 47.4 million people lived in food-insecure households, underscoring the continued need for effective fundraising for food banks. The demand for food pantries is expected to rise as inflation and grocery bills increase, putting more pressure on these vital services.

Food insecurity means the household is “uncertain of having or unable to acquire enough food to meet the needs of all its members.” About 18 million U.S. households (13.5%) experienced food insecurity in 2023. This is roughly 5% higher than in 2022, when 17 million or 12.8% of households were food insecure.

With all food prices expected to increase 3.5% this year, food banks will likely feel the strain. Raising money and collecting food donations at a higher level will be critical so your organization can continue meeting this greater need.

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Why focus on fundraising for your food bank?

Food prices have increased by 31% since 2019, due to several factors. For one, every aspect of the food system has been impacted by higher production, labor, and fuel costs. Supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and severe weather have affected livestock and many essential crops.

Some companies raised prices to combat these volatile conditions and maintain their profitability. Now, new tariffs on imported food will likely increase costs more, with one estimate putting prices 2.6% higher in the short term.

Alongside rising prices, funding for food programs has been slashed in recent months. In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cut two federal programs that provided about $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks. Of that, about $420 million was cut from the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement. This program enables pantries to buy food directly from local farms and producers.

It’s becoming clear that federal funding may no longer be a reliable source of income. Fundraising for food banks will become more critical, as will finding alternative revenue streams. And while it’s tempting to focus only on how to get money for a food pantry, consider ways to collect food donations, too. You might partner with:


What types of donations do food banks need?

Generally, food banks accept both financial donations and food donations. All nonprofits need monetary support, but in-kind gifts are also valuable. Food is the most common, but this can also include shelving or food storage items, technology, and free professional services like graphic design or printing.

When fundraising for food banks, you’ll need to explicitly ask for the type of donation you need in your campaigns. If you need both, clearly explain how supporters can donate each type. For instance, link to an online donation form for monetary gifts.

If you’re collecting food, create a page with clear instructions for potential donors. We recommend establishing a policy or set of guidelines for the in-kind donations you’ll accept. You might specify that you’ll only take unopened food, undented cans, or unexpired items.


What are the best food bank fundraising ideas and strategies?

Fundraising for food banks can start to feel repetitive, especially if you’re fishing from a small pond. To help you freshen things up, we’re sharing five of our best food bank fundraising ideas. These strategies are ideal for pantries of any size — and with any budget.

1. Creative campaigns.

To be successful, food pantries’ fundraising appeals must stand out. Rather than using generic ideas, copy, and images, infuse your theme and mission into each campaign. Your local community doesn’t want to support a food bank; they want to support your food bank.

So, be authentic and have some fun with your campaigns! Here are some things you could organize:

2. Engaging events.

Organize an in-person event to get supporters excited about your cause and to strengthen your relationship with the broader community. Just be sure the event reflects your mission, not what’s trendy.

Philabundance, a food bank serving nine counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, often collaborates with Philadelphia’s many sports teams to collect both money and food. Its standout event is “Camp Out for Hunger,” which began in 1998 and collected one ton of food that year.

This event has grown to be the largest single-site food drive in the country. In 2024, it collected 1.6 million pounds of food and raised $1 million in just four days.

Another great food bank fundraising idea is the Empty Bowls project. This grassroots movement can be used to support any local food pantry. It invites artists and craftspeople to make and donate bowls, which are then used to serve a simple meal. Attendees choose a bowl to take home, and it remains empty to remind them of the empty bowls around the world.

Struggling to Fund the Fight Against Hunger? Read our eBook: “Mid-Level Giving: Building Food Bank Stability in Uncertain Times”

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3. Leverage digital platforms.

If your food pantry is short on time or resources, consider using a digital platform to raise funds. Digital fundraising is less expensive and often easier to manage than an in-person event, which can have many moving parts.

Through a digital campaign, you’ll expand your reach to different cities, states, or countries. Moreover, you’ll build stronger relationships with your current donors, who will now have another way to connect with your mission. Digital platforms also collect scores of data, which you can use to improve future campaigns.

To launch a virtual fundraiser, you’ll need some basic tools and technology. For instance:

Allyra online fundraising tool highlights

Some digital fundraisers, such as exclusive monthly giving clubs, can become a passive source of income, generating revenue in the background. If you start such a program, promote it regularly, and ensure you have a strategy in place to thank donors.

4. Partner with local businesses

Businesses are typically eager to participate in corporate philanthropy, especially for local causes such as feeding the community. Reach out to companies large and small to see if they’d be willing to make a monetary or in-kind contribution.

Here are some ways local businesses could partner with and support you:

When you pitch a partnership to a business, be ready to share some of your most compelling impact metrics. Also, tell the company what they’ll receive in exchange for their support. This is usually some type of recognition, so be specific.

5. Collaborate with community institutions.

By pooling your resources with other community organizations, you can expand your mission and reach a larger audience. Consider these potential partnerships:

K-12 schools

Local universities, community colleges, or technical schools

Libraries

Nonprofits with similar missions

Public safety organizations

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How can you raise more for your food pantry?

Economic uncertainty and government spending cuts mean fundraising for food banks will be more crucial than ever. To ensure you can meet your community’s needs, consider working with a team of professionals like Allegiance Group + Pursuant.

Our digital marketing and direct mail specialists will help you reach more donors and prospects with consistent and compelling messaging across channels. Personalized appeals are delivered to the right people at the right time so you can raise more money to support your cause.

Digital marketing services include:

Direct mail offerings include:

Case Study: Georgia Mountain Food Bank

The Georgia Mountain Food Bank (GMFB) serves a five-county region in north Georgia, connecting about 570,000 people with healthy food each year. Our Allegiance Group + Pursuant team has partnered with them on both paid search and direct mail campaigns with outstanding results.

GMFB sought to expand its digital reach and connect with supporters through a direct-to-donor advertising campaign. We developed a two-month effort that included paid search ads through Google and Microsoft and display ads on Facebook and Instagram. This resulted in:

The direct mail campaign aimed to distinguish GMFB’s brand and mission from similar nonprofits in the area. And while it partners with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, GMFB wanted to highlight its distinct programs and services. Results included:

Wrapping Up

Fundraising for food banks helps address a critical need in our communities that will only continue to grow. These nonprofit leaders must think beyond how to get money for a food pantry, instead deploying creative campaigns and in-person events that encourage all kinds of donations.

Additionally, seek opportunities to collaborate with businesses, educational institutions, and other nonprofits to broaden the reach of your mission. Strong partnerships will help your entire community thrive.

For more food bank fundraising ideas and strategies, contact us at Allegiance Group + Pursuant. Our digital and direct mail fundraising experts are eager to support your vital efforts to address food insecurity. Let’s connect.

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We helped GMFB boost fundraising revenue by 104%

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