KBTX-TV's Summer Hunger 2023

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Summer should be a time for kids to take a break from the stresses of school.

But during the summer months, children are at home, and families (especially seniors and the differently abled on fixed incomes), face higher energy bills because of the Texas heat.

Countless families, and many more individuals facing hunger across the Brazos Valley, will rely on the Brazos Valley Food Bank (BVFB) and our agency partners for extra support this summer, and beyond. With current food shortages and long lines at food pantries, BVFB is relying on you for donated food and financials support to ensure shelves are stocked - for Agency Partners - and in turn, for Brazos Valley families in need. 

We can help kids, and all Brazos Valley residents, enjoy summer as it should be.  Stress free and food filled. 

Brazos Valley Food Bank realizes that our services will be needed even more. However, we are faced with a downfall during the summer months. We have fewer volunteers, fewer monetary donations and a decrease in the number of food drive donations. In order for BVFB to continue to stock the shelves of our partner agencies, so that our Brazos Valley neighbors have food on their tables, we need your help.

 

KBTX-TV is hosting it's 4th annual Summer Hunger Food Drive benefitting the Brazos Valley Food Bank. 

For the entire  month of June, five locations throughout Bryan-College Station will have designated drop off boxes to collect YOUR food donations.  As a special bonus, each Wednesday in June, one location will be highlighted with a live KBTX broadcast (4-6:30 pm). Drop off donations then and meet the KBTX anchor in person! 

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Donations trend down

Support KBTX Summer Hunger by hosting a food drive to help fight hunger in the Brazos Valley!

Food drives are a fun and easy way to support BVFB. Individuals, groups and organizations of all sizes and ages can host successful food drives that help feed those in need in our community.  Read through our helpful guidelines and fill out a registration form below - then bring your donations to one of the five locations throughout the month of June!

Plan ahead

Who will be in charge of planning and coordinating?  When will your food drive begin and end?  Who will you be collecting food from-customers, employees, neighborhoods, etc?  Will you need collection barrels?  How will you get the food collected to the food bank?

Set a goal

How many pounds of food do you want to collect?  How many items would you like for individuals to donate to the food drive?

Get Group Leaders Involved

If a food drive is being held at a local place, encourage leadership to show their support by sending email, or letters.  Ask companies to match employee donations, such as a $1.00 per pound of donated food.  Challenge the boss or club leader to perform an outrageous activity if your goal is met, i.e. kiss a pig.

Promote your drive, Build Awareness and Visibility

Organize a kickoff event to build enthusiasm. Hand out shopping list of items most needed. Hang food drive posters around your school or office.  Distribute food drive flyers in employee mail boxes or send them home with students. Include food drive details in your groups newsletters. Take photos throughout your drive of items collected and post them on social media to keep your group informed and motivated. Tag the Brazos Valley Food Bank in your social media post using hashtags like #bvfb, #cannedfooddrive, #FightHungerintheBrazosValley

Utilize Exciting Competitions and Creative Themes

Create competitions with lots of categories-largest individual donation or most protein. Competitions against departments, men against women, juniors against seniors, etc. 

Think about creating a theme.

“Food of the Day” drive and have participates bring certain foods for each day of the week.  Macaroni Monday, Tuna Tuesday or Peanut Butter week

“Food Groups” drive and have individuals bring food from each food group, fruits, canned protein, breakfast food, vegetables, and grains.

“Can struction” food drive.  Have teams build a structure out of the cans they donate.  Recruit a few judges to pick the best structure and /or the most nutritious structure. 

Celebrate your Success!

Have a party to celebrate your successful food drive.  Take pictures of your events, send them to amandas@bvfb.org. We will put the pictures on our social media pages.

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