Hosting a food drive is a powerful way to support Maryland families facing hunger while uniting your workplace, school, or community for a great cause. By collecting non-perishable food donations, you help stock local food pantries and feeding programs, ensuring more nutritious meals reach those in need. Whether you choose a traditional food drive or a virtual food drive, the Maryland Food Bank provides the tools and support to make your effort a success. Get started today and help us fight food insecurity in Maryland!
Virtual Food Drive Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser
Help feed our hungry neighbors by hosting a virtual food drive! Instead of hauling all those cans and coordinating an in-person donation drive, let Maryland Food Bank doing all the heavy lifting.
A virtual food drive is simple; with just a few clicks, you are ready to start collecting donations and have an easily shareable link. The Maryland Food Bank will transform your raised funds with our ability to purchase wholesale, stretching your dollar much further than you could at any grocery store.
Virtual Food Drive Compared to Traditional Food Drives
Virtual Food Drives
- Every dollar donated to your virtual food drive will go much further thanks to our wholesale buying power.
- It’s completely free and takes just a few minutes to set up.
- You’ll receive a unique Virtual Food Drive page that you can customize and share with your friends and family.
- Track your impact of your support in real time.
Join the movement of anti-hunger advocates & create an individual or team fundraiser.
Traditional Food Drives
- In-person involvement with your family, friends, and workplace or organization.
- Register your food drive with Maryland Food Bank to receive a customizable event poster (PDF) and list of most needed items (PDF).
- Once the food drive is over, the canned goods and other items will need to be delivered to your local food pantry.
Find your local food drop-off location and deliver food donations during the hours listed.
Food Drive FAQs
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What is a Food Drive?
A fundraiser where groups of individuals work together to collect food or funds to benefit a food bank or food pantry.
How Do Food Drives Help People Facing Food Insecurity?
Food drives assist with distribution of food to our neighbors in need.
What Are the Different Types of Food Drives?
There are two types of food drives: traditional and virtual. Virtual food drives allow for monetary donations online, while traditional food drives collect non-perishable foods and additional supplies for our neighbors.
Please consider creating an online fundraiser. Every dollar donated to your virtual food drive will go much further thanks to our wholesale buying power. It’s completely free and takes just a few minutes to set up.
What Items Can’t Be Donated to a Food Drive?
Our Network Partners cannot accept any expired food or open food in not-original packaging. If you wouldn’t give your food item to a family member, then please don’t donate it to a food pantry.
Here is also a list of our most needed items (PDF).
How Can I Find a Food Pantry Near Me?
Use our Find Food tool to search for a food pantry near you by using your exact location, zip code, or address and selecting a radius (in miles) to search within.
Are There Tax Benefits for Donating to a Food Drive?
All donation through a virtual food drive will receive an emailed receipt for tax purposes. A physical donation receipt can be provided if you drop off donation to one of our Maryland Food Bank locations.
Where Can I Drop Off My Food Donation?
Please see our list of drop-offs and pick up locations by county.
You can also deliver donations to any of our facilities during the following days and times:
MARYLAND FOOD BANK – BALTIMORE OFFICE
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. M–F
MARYLAND FOOD BANK – EASTERN SHORE BRANCH
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. M–F
MARYLAND FOOD BANK – WESTERN BRANCH
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Traditional Food Drive Registration
Please fill out this form for hosting a traditional food drive.
Start Your Virtual Food Drive
Empower your community to help hungry Marylanders in just a few clicks. Start Today
