Holding a Food Drive

If you have decided to hold a food drive for Keystone, please contact us early in your planning to find out our current needs. More information is available from Christine Pulver, Basic Needs Program Director, at 651-487-2792 x.102 or cpulver@keystoneservices.org.

Organize the event:
• Set dates for the food drive.
• Determine the type and number of containers you will use to collect the food. We have a limited number of food drive containers available.
• Arrange for volunteers to load the food into a vehicle to deliver it to Keystone. Please call ahead if you expect to bring in more than 1,000 pounds so that we can prepare for your delivery.

Communicate clearly:
• Educate your participants about the impact of hunger in our community. If people understand the importance of food drives, they will be more motivated to give.
• Set a goal for your drive. This can be pounds, items, or type of food. If this is the first time you have held a food drive, pick a goal that is both challenging and achievable. Be sure to post information about the food drive in a prominent location and report daily progress toward your goal to all participants.

A food drive can be a labor-intensive project. You may also consider raising funds as the major focus of the drive. Not only are funds easier to collect, store, and deliver, but cash donations allow us to procure supplies when needed and not be faced with storage issues.

The three Keystone Community Services food shelf locations:

Midway Food Shelf
1916 University Ave. W. (near Prior), St. Paul
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Phone: 651-917-3792

Rice Street Food Shelf
1457 Rice St. (at Arlington), St. Paul
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00PM
Phone: 651-487-2792 ext. 100

Fairview Food Shelf
1910 W. County Road B, Roseville (located in the Fairview Community Center)
Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM

           Tuesday, 5:30 PM-8:30 PM
Phone: 651-917-3939

Arrangements can be made for donations outside of normal hours of operation at each location.  Please contact us two weeks ahead to schedule a donation outside of normal hours.