Many large regional stores allow you to have a drive, although it depends on individual managers. Places like Stop and Shop, ShopRite, Publix, Food Lion, Kroger, Safeway, and Meijer often allow drives.

Steps:

1. Reach out directly to the store’s manager, either by email or phone number, which can often be found online. Make sure you communicate your cause well, who you are trying to help, and why.
2. Choose a date. Some advance planning is needed; try to get some friends to help you on the day
3. .Plan the event. Some tips for a smooth event:
   1. Reach out to the pantry you are trying to supply and find out exactly what they need. This way, you are making sure the donations you receive are doing the most amount of good!
   2. Print out flyers with the foods/supplies you are collecting! And print many! As people walk in, hand them the flyers so that they can remember what they should be collecting as they shop (ex. “We need: Cans, Pasta, Cereal, Peanut Butter”). And print many! If you don’t want to print papers, you can also make a google docs page and have people scan a QR code to find the list (although printed papers are usually more effective at getting supplies).
   3. Stand at the entrance to the store (assuming the store allows it). This way, as people walk in, you hand them flyers, and as they walk out, you collect donations.
   4. Be okay with rejection! Some people may be unwilling or unable to donate, so if you get some rejections just move on.
   5. Make sure that you have enough storage to bring the supplies to the organization. Depending on the success of your drive, you may need multiple cars to transport the supplies, so plan in advance.
   6. Ask for volunteers in shifts. For example, if you have 8 hours at a store, it may be best to split it into 2-hour increments. Splitting up this time will mean more people can volunteer, and it makes it less of a time commitment for those with busy schedules.
   7. For volunteers, reach out to friends, family, clubs at school, and local Boy and Girl Scout groups.
   8. Have fun! Smile, be kind, and the enthusiasm you have for your cause will inspire people to donate.
4. Host your event! Get as many people as possible to help ask for donations, organize your donations, and transport them. 
5. Donate your collections!