You’ve collected hundreds of cans, jars, and other dry goods. What a great job! Unfortunately, when everything is dumped into one big heap, volunteers will need to spend hours lifting, inspecting, and organizing everything. Basic packaging materials can greatly assist in making things easier at the beginning.

Ask the food bank ahead of time what it needs most; what it won’t accept; and how it would prefer its donations to be organized. Different organizations may desire to separate canned vegetables from pasta or use an entirely different organization method. Using their organization methods now will save volunteers time after the food drive has ended.

Use boxes which adults can pick up when full. While a large box may contain many cans, it could easily become very heavy and difficult to transport safely. Medium-sized boxes with sturdy bottoms are often easier to carry, stack, and load into vehicles.

Include large labels on every collection box. Names that are easy to recognize (i.e., breakfast foods, canned meals, etc.) will allow those donating to identify where each item goes. Letters should be visible from across the room and pictures are helpful when children are assisting.

Keep some additional packaging materials nearby (tape, blank labels, markers and/or small plastic bags) in order to keep volunteers focused on the task and able to efficiently organize. The table that includes these needed packaging supplies will allow the process to flow smoothly and Help new volunteers learn the organizational systems quickly.

Before you package your donations for delivery check each item. All food should be sealed/un-opened and follow local guidelines regarding expiration dates. Containers that are dented, leaky, swollen, rusty or broken may not be safe to donate. Also, Glass items may not be accepted due to potential damage during transportation.

In each carton put the heaviest items closest to the bottom and lighter boxes/soft packs can go on top. Don’t fill a carton so tight that the food becomes damaged. If necessary, use clean paper to fill empty spaces in a carton so that items don’t shift during travel.

On the outside of the carton indicate the kind of goods included and an approximate weight. This warning (example “heavy cans”) will alert a volunteer before they attempt to lift a box. Labeling the boxes with numbers can also assist the lead person determine how many items were collected and provide results back to the community.

Also consider weather conditions. Store food away from wet ground, cover the collection area if rain is likely to occur, and store full boxes inside. Stretch film can Help tie multiple boxes together for a quick trip but it should not obscure labels.

Better packaging doesn’t simply give a tidy appearance to a room. It provides protection for donated products; reduces the likelihood of injuries; and allows food bank employees to focus their efforts toward providing assistance to families. When each box arrives neatly packaged, free from hazards, and properly labeled, acts of kindness from the collection site can arrive sooner in a neighbor’s kitchen.