412 Food Rescue’s mission is to keep perfectly good food out of the waste stream. We waste up to 40% of the food we produce in this country, enough to end food insecurity 4X over! We know that traditional food drives can be a great way for individuals and groups to support pantries, but we invite our volunteers to “think outside the food collection box” for ways to support BOTH our missions of ending food waste and addressing food insecurity.
Here are some ideas to inspire you to action:
Host a party with purpose
Turn any gathering—whether it’s a birthday party, holiday celebration, or casual get-together—into a meaningful event by making it a fundraiser for 412 Food Rescue. Ask guests to donate in lieu of gifts, sell raffle tickets for prizes, or create an exclusive experience where guests donate to participate.
- Ditch the holiday white elephant gift exchange in favor of a group donation
- Host a themed party (80’s, superhero, Barbie chic) where guests donate to enter, and add fun elements like a costume contest, photo booth, or themed raffle to raise additional funds.
Food rescue game night
Partner with a local bar or pub to host a game night supporting 412 Food Rescue. Charge an entry fee for teams, offer prizes for the winners, and donate all or a portion of the proceeds to support our mission. You could adapt this concept out to any co-sponsored event like a craft show or trivia night.
Host a performance with a purpose
Turn your talent into impact! Host a concert or live musical performance with proceeds benefiting 412 Food Rescue Whether you are a classically trained musician, a punk band or a singer songwriter, you can host an in-person or virtual event that helps fight hunger and reduce food waste.
- Open mic night
- Multi-act performance
- Solo show
Fundraise for your birthday
Dedicate your special day to helping others. Use social media or online platforms like Facebook Fundraisers or GoFundMe to encourage friends and family to make a donation to 412 Food Rescue in honor of your birthday. It’s a simple yet powerful way to give back!
- Invite people to donate an amount equal to your age ($30 if you’re turning 30) or any multiple of your age.
- For a fun twist, ask friends to donate their own age in dollars!
- In the days leading up to your birthday, share daily stories, facts, or challenges related to 412 Food Rescue. Encourage daily donations and engagement by creating themed days, such as “Matching Monday” where you match donations or “Thankful Thursday” where donors are recognized.
Run (or walk, cycle, hike) for a reason
Participate in a local marathon, 5K, or bike ride, and get sponsors to pledge a donation for each mile or kilometer you complete. Alternatively, organize your own challenge—like hiking a certain number of trails or even a “virtual run” where participants can join from anywhere.
- Join Marathon Heroes
- Sponsor the Marathon Heroes
- Sign up to Volunteer
When life gives you lemons
Lemonade stands are a great way to support 412 Food Rescue while teaching children about the importance of helping others in their community.
Lemonade stand 101:
- Choose a location with high foot-traffic like a park, neighborhood corner, or local event.
- Create eye-catching signs explaining that proceeds go to 412 Food Rescue; include our logo and mission to attract attention.
- Set a suggested donation price rather than charging a fixed price – allowing people to give more!
- Spread the word in advance through social media, local signage, and community groups.
- Offer additional items like homemade cookies, snacks, or branded charity merchandise to increase donations.
- Thank donors and share impact: Offer thank-you notes or small tokens of appreciation and later share the total funds raised and how they will 412 Food Rescue.
Host an experience for a cause
What are your special talents, skills, and hobbies that light you up? Offer curated experiences to friends and family that create meaningful memories, all while supporting 412 Food Rescue.
- Photography session: If you’re skilled with a camera, offer a family portrait session, a pet photography shoot, or a creative photoshoot experience.
- Personalized art or craft workshop: If you have a talent for painting, pottery, knitting, or any other craft, offer a private or small-group workshop. Include all the supplies and help your friends create their own masterpieces.
- Guided adventure or tour: If you’re knowledgeable about your local area, offer a guided tour of local hidden gems, historical spots, or a nature hike with a picnic.
- Skills training or tutoring session: Offer a one-on-one session for a skill you excel at, like guitar lessons, language tutoring, or public speaking coaching.
Cook (or bake) for a cause
If you’re a great cook or baker, offer a private cooking lesson or prepare a special dinner party for a group. You could even theme it around items made with rescued or leftover ingredients! Charge guests a ticket price or suggest a donation amount to attend, with all proceeds going to 412 Food Rescue.
- Farm to table diner with rescued ingredients: Host a dinner party featuring a multi-course meal prepared using surplus or “rescued” ingredients sourced from local markets or partners. Highlight the importance of food waste reduction by sharing the story behind each dish and how the ingredients were saved from being wasted.
- No-waste baking class: Organize a baking class focused on using “ugly” or surplus fruits and vegetables that might otherwise be discarded. Teach participants how to make baked goods like pies, muffins, cakes, or savory pastries while emphasizing the importance of reducing food waste. Provide take-home recipe cards featuring “waste-not” tips and tricks.
- Zero-waste cooking challenge: Organize a dinner party where guests, individually or in teams, create dishes using a curated basket of rescued or leftover ingredients. Provide basic staples and host a friendly competition judged by a local chef or food enthusiast.
Your creativity and passion can make a huge difference in supporting our food rescue efforts. These are just a few ideas to get started, but the possibilities are endless! We are here to support you in any way we can, whether it’s helping you organize an event, providing promotional materials, or simply brainstorming together.
Contact
info@412foodrescue.org
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