Host a Food Drive
Rally your workplace, school, faith community, or neighborhood to help feed our neighbors experiencing homelessness in Austin.
Email Us to Get StartedWhy Food Drives Matter
Caritas of Austin's Community Kitchen serves hundreds of hot meals every week, and our Food Pantry provides groceries to individuals and families working toward stability. Food drives organized by community members like you are a vital lifeline — keeping our shelves stocked so no one goes hungry.
200+
Meals served weekly from the Community Kitchen
100%
Of donated food goes directly to those in need
What Is a Food Drive?
A food drive is a community-organized collection of non-perishable food items donated to a local food program. You set a goal, spread the word, collect donations from friends, colleagues, or neighbors, and deliver them to us. It's one of the most impactful — and fun — ways to give back.
How to Host a Food Drive
Contact us to get started
Reach out to our team to let us know you're planning a drive. We'll provide a goal-setting guide, printable flyers, and a donation drop-off plan.
Set your goal and timeline
Decide how long your drive will run (one week to one month works well) and set a collection goal to motivate your group.
Spread the word
Use our printable flyers, email templates, and social media graphics to promote your drive. The more people who know, the more food you'll collect.
Collect donations
Set up a clearly labeled collection box in a high-traffic area — a break room, lobby, classroom, or entryway. Check it regularly and keep the energy up!
Drop off at Caritas
When your drive wraps up, bring your collected items to 611 Neches St, Austin, TX 78701 during business hours.
What We Accept
We welcome any unopened, non-expired, non-perishable food items. The following are especially needed:
- Canned vegetables and fruits
- Canned beans and legumes
- Canned soups and stews
- Rice and dried pasta
- Peanut butter and nut butters
- Oatmeal and breakfast cereals
- Shelf-stable milk or plant-based milk
- Cooking oil and condiments
- Granola bars and snack items
- Baby food and formula (if applicable)
Please check expiration dates before donating. Items with at least 6 months of shelf life remaining are most helpful.
Who Can Host a Drive?
Workplaces & Businesses
Turn your office into a force for good. Friendly competition between departments is a great way to boost participation.
Schools & Universities
Engage students in hands-on community service. Food drives are a great fit for service-learning projects and student organizations.
Faith Communities
Congregations have long been pillars of community support. A food drive is a natural extension of that mission.
Neighborhoods & HOAs
Bring your block together for a common cause. Even a small neighborhood drive can make a big difference.
Civic & Social Groups
Clubs, leagues, and organizations looking for a meaningful service project will find food drives easy to organize and deeply rewarding.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Contact our team to get your food drive kit — including flyers, a goal tracker, and drop-off instructions.
