Health News
No Time? Consider Donations Using Virtual Food Drives
During the holiday season and winter months, New York does an incredible job of rallying its residents and visitors to participate in drives for those in need. Be it food, coats or presents, you can always find a way to give back.
In particular, food drives are a popular activity for companies, school service projects and community groups. What many of us, including myself, didn't realize was how costly and inefficient holding a food drive is for the food bank -- they must provide materials, plan pick-ups, and process the donations.
This, among other reasons, was why I was interested to hear that The Food Bank for New York City has moved its food drives online. The online donation process allows people to shop in virtual grocery aisles, give cash, and even start food drives. When I dove into further, I discovered that the concept of moving drives online isn't new; In November 2010, the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas gave online visitors groceries to choose from -- including fruits, vegetables, chicken, milk, grains and canned items -- to donate via a click of the mouse.
Since its move online and the site was redesign this past summer, Food Bank for New York City has seen a 120-percent increase in donations through the site this fiscal year (ending July 2012), surpassing its goal of 20 percent. What makes it better? Items displayed on the site are products donors can easily understand, like 1 gallon of milk or 5 pounds of tomatoes. By dragging your mouse over an item, you learn more about how the food bank buys and distributes it.
I am so happy for the success of online food donations. If you can't donate in person, it's a great alternative. However, I hope that this option hasn't deterred people from holding community food drives as a way to do good together.
Does an online system incentivize you to donate, or do you prefer bringing goods to a food bank or food drives in person or with a group?
Credit: FoodBankNYC.org
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