mend
meeting emergency needs with dignity
an interfaith emergency food network

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How You Can Help

ITEMS MOST NEEDED

Cereal – Hot and Cold
Canned Drinks, Juice Boxes, Powdered Drink
Mixes, Coffee, Tea, Cocoa
Canned Fruit (Regular & Low-Sugar)
Canned Vegetables
Dry Beans, Brown Rice, Pasta
Pasta Sauce
Canned Meats (Spaghetti, Chili, Hash, Stew, etc)
Snacks, Crackers, Cookies, Raisins
Protein Supplement Drinks (Ensure, etc)
Condiments (Mustard, Ketchup, Mayonnaise,
Salad Dressing, Gravy, etc)
Breakfast Bars
Baby Food & Formula
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Milk (Powdered & Parmalat)
Soup (Canned & Dry)
Cake & Muffin Mix
Low Sodium Items
Canned Meats (Tuna, Spam, Chicken, etc)
Granola Bars
Spices (Salt, Pepper & Other Basic Spices)
Monetary Donations & Grocery Gift Cards To Local Supermarkets Are Always Welcomed
HOW TO CONDUCT A FOOD DRIVE FOR
IEFN – MEND
  1. Contact Sharon Tobin at the IEFN – MEND Central Office to inform them of your interest
  2. Designate a 2-3 week period for the collection of food
  3. Designate a contact person in your group to answer any questions & make arrangements for the food drive
  4. One month prior to the drive:
    • Start advertising & send notices via email
    • Have poster made with collection dates, location of collection bins or collection points and where the donated food is going: IEFN – MEND. Position the posters in common and high traffic areas.
    • Make copies of the “items most needed” and distribute to interested participants
  5. Call IEFN – MEND Central Office and schedule a pickup date/time for donated items at the end of the drive
  6. Keep any cash donations or grocery cards in a safe area
  7. Send a final reminder notice to announce the last day for food collection
  8. Arrange for volunteers to assist the IEFN – MEND driver when he arrives to pickup donations (confirm pickup with IEFN)
  9. Follow through after the drive – Call IEFN – MEND to get the result of how many pound of food collected, how many meals were furnished and how many people were fed
  10. LET VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS KNOW THE RESULTS – THEY NEED TO KNOW THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN ESSEX COUNTY
MEETING EMERGENCY NEEDS WITH DIGNITY
37 EVERGREEN PLACE -- EAST ORANGE, NJ 07018
MAIN PHONE: 973-266-7941 -- FAX: 973-675-6935
info@mendnj.org
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