The restaurant industry has always played a leading role in feeding communities, whether customers are dining in-store or ordering online.
But as the country continues its recovery from the pandemic, many people are still struggling with hunger.
Restaurant owners can make a significant impact in combating food insecurity, helping both their local neighborhoods and their business.
The National Restaurant Association reports that 50% of consumers say they are likely to make a dining choice based on how much a restaurant supports local charitable activities.
No matter the size of your restaurant, order volume, or the number of employees on staff, there are many reasons to get involved with helping your community.
"I would recommend anyone, restaurant partners included, to get involved in their local community. People are struggling, and if you have the means to help another human, then you should," suggested Andrea Cote, Menufy's inbound support manager.
Not sure how to start? Community outreach doesn’t have to be complicated or cut into the bottom line. Explore examples of how Menufy gives back to our hometown of Kansas City and learn how easy it is for a restaurant to host its own food drive!
Guide to Hosting a Food Drive
Getting involved in charitable events benefits the local community and has the potential to boost company morale and attract new customers!
We suggest following our steps for hosting a restaurant-sponsored food drive.
1. Find a Partner
We recommend that restaurant management collaborate with a local food pantry to make hosting a breeze. Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the US, provides an easy-to-use tool on their website to search for food banks across the country.
Be sure to communicate with food bank representatives and utilize all their available resources. Many national and regional organizations already know how to organize a food drive efficiently.
These groups will often supply food donation barrels and a list of items that are in demand. Some food pantries will even offer to retrieve items at the end of a donation event!
2. Refine The Details
Before announcing the event, management should decide on the finer details and communicate them to the entire staff.
How long is the event? Where will donations be stored? Do customers drop off items in store?
We suggest that restaurants have donations of nutritious food items be brought directly to the storefront during regular hours of operation. This will increase restaurant visibility and encourage participants to place an order while they are there.
3. Add Motivation
Consumers love an incentive, especially when it comes in the form of free breadsticks!
Rewarding customers with a free appetizer or dessert in exchange for 10 donated items will encourage customer participation. To eliminate confusion, be sure to clearly specify any limitations of the promotion (max one per customer, etc.).
Adding an incentive will likely boost the event's popularity and increase sales, but it is not required for hosting a successful food drive.
4. Talk about it
If you share it, they will come.
Tabletop or counter signs are a great way to advertise the event to diners.
Capture the attention of online customers by including a message at the top of an ordering page. For Menufy restaurant partners, operators using the Manager portal can easily add an announcement that will be displayed when customers visit your online ordering page.
Schedule an announcement that will appear to online ordering customers.
Management should consider creating an online event or an engaging social post to advertise the food drive.
Need help creating an engaging social media post? Our experts have provided a list of helpful tips and tricks on The Menufy Blog.
How Menufy Gives Back
Corporations, small businesses, and individuals can positively influence their neighborhoods. This is why Menufy is dedicated to supporting Kansas City-area hunger-relief organizations such as Harvesters, After the Harvest, and Sheffield Place.
Our team members like to get in the middle of the action whenever a volunteer opportunity arises.
Andy Lowder, Menufy’s business development director, spoke passionately when we asked our employees about the importance of giving back to the community:
"Menufy as a company wouldn't be where we are today without the communities we serve, and volunteering is a great way for the Menufy team to meet people in our communities and continue to grow our relationships here."
Gleaning
This past year, we had the chance to join After the Harvest in their efforts to rescue produce that would otherwise go to waste—a process known as gleaning.
In August 2021, our employees joined a team of volunteers, and together we harvested apples from a local orchard that were sent to nearby food pantries.
Another gleaning opportunity arose in November, and we were able to help pick over 2,200 pounds of turnips from a community garden.
"We have partnered with After the Harvest for the last several years, and after researching about gleaning and what they do to give back to the community, I wanted to be a part of that," explained Gracelyn Frofunga, Menufy's human resources coordinator.
Read our recent blog to learn more about After the Harvest and gleaning!
Mobile Food Pantry
Earlier in December, a group of Menufy volunteers participated in a mobile food pantry sponsored by Harvesters, a food bank that serves northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri. Over 350 families were provided with groceries through this event alone.
"The dedication and commitment this group has to helping our community are amazing. I would implore anyone looking to provide a hand to the community to look at what these good people are doing as an example," remarked Andy Lowder.
We enjoy supporting our partner organizations and the team building these events provide.
"I had so much fun bonding with other Menufy associates. It was nice to meet and learn more about people across the company," exclaimed Andrea Cote.
Food Drive Competition
After a food drive in 2019 in which Menufy employees donated 800+ food items, we wanted to recreate the same success this holiday season.
We coordinated with Harvesters and signed up to host our own food donation event.
We made this year's food drive a competition between departments to add extra motivation!
Using Harvesters' list of in-demand foods, we assigned each item a point value. Menufy's very competitive employees will bring their donations directly to our office, where they will be stored in collection barrels supplied by the hunger-relief organization.
"Menufy has been fortunate enough to continue to thrive amidst the pandemic. Not everyone is as lucky as we have been. So it's so important for us to give back to those who are struggling during such an incredibly difficult time," explained Andrea Cote.
Hopefully, our employees will rise to the challenge and surpass the number of items donated in 2019!
Final Course
Ninety percent of restaurateurs make charitable contributions in their communities, according to The National Restaurant Association. This is an incredible accomplishment for the restaurant industry.
Everyone from food truck operators to fine dining restaurateurs can find ways to give back to the neighborhood, whether it's through volunteering or hosting a food drive.
"The more we can do to help those around us, the more we can empower our communities to grow and foster healthy neighborhoods for each and every one of us," said Andy Lowder.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melissa Dimmitt, Marketing Communications Coordinator
Melissa began her digital marketing career nearly a decade ago at a restaurant group. She worked with restaurant managers and executive chefs while coordinating seasonal menu releases, executing photoshoots, and creating fresh digital content.