Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
A Home Food Donation Chapter may sound daunting, but we've helped dozens get up and running and there is one simple key; just start. It's both common and easy to overthink it, and the more that happens the more difficult it will feel. Starting small with just a few friends, neighbors and co-workers is a great way to learn the ins and outs of the Operating System and how a program works.
To get started, go to the Event Manager (www.asgeventmanager.com) and click the register button. You'll receive a welcome email and have a chance to complete the first part of your registration. Send an email to info@Porch2Pantry.org to let us know you have registered.
You'll then need some help to finish things up. There is a "Admin Help Guide" in the green bar at the top of your webpage after you log in. Click the Admin Help Guide and you'll get step by step instructions to complete your registration.
Here is something to keep in mind... almost everyone wants to help others. Nothing provides a deeper sense of accomplishment than knowing we have helped others. It can be difficult finding a way to help. Writing a check is easy, but not that fulfilling. Filling up a bag and knowing someone will be using that food soon is gratifying.
Many well respected authors have written about how to find happiness. You'll find that in nearly all of them there is a strong element of giving something of ourselves to others. The renowned Stephen Covey talks about the private give, because it's an internal feeling that has nothing to do with what others think about us. Starting this program is a way to offer people that path. And along the way, it's going to help tens of thousands of people to relieve food insecurity.
The main question to consider is the territory or target donor base you wish to reach. The name for your Chapter should probably reflect who your donor base will be. For example; it might be a city, a county or a specific part of a community.
If you plan to make a big effort over a wide area, such as a county, we will be hopeful you have a long term plan to sign up at least 8% of the doorsteps in your area. You can calculate this, roughly, by dividing your population by 2.5 or do an internet search on "households in [e.g. county]". If you're not ready to make that big of a commitment, you might want to narrow the area to a city.
Here are some examples of Chapter Names; Note how some claim a territory, others are just a name of the organization.
WORK WITH AN EXISTING PROGRAM or START YOUR OWN: There are three national programs (click the hyperlink to learn more) that you could team up with. Each of them would provide you a suite of tools to make the steps easier. We directly support “A Simple Gesture” but you can use our Operating Software for any program, even your own.
STRUCTURE: You can operate without a formal structure. However, there are valid reasons to first set up a company (LLC or Incorporation). Read this article to learn more or do your own research. Our advice is to Incorporate with your State as a non-profit and then file a 501(c)(3) with the Federal Government. A 501(c)(3) gives you tax exempt status allowing your funding sources to make their donations tax deductible. Many financial donors will require you to be a 501(c)(3).
A great option is to find a 501(c)(3) to be your Fiscal Sponsor. This means you operate under their 501(c)(3), learn more here.
CLICK HERE to read our step by step guide to form our own 501(c)(3), you can save some money by following the same steps.
FORM A TEAM: Many chapters are run by one person, but it's generally true that its more fun and your chances of success are greater when you form a team.
The donor is the piece of gold that makes it all work. Each donor is a big deal; A typical donor will donate an average of 15 pounds per event and will participate about 70% of the time, over a span that will average more than 5 years. The value of that food will of course vary, the average we used is $2.80 (although this number needs more study). We use 360 pounds at a value of $1008 ($2.80/lb) to represent the result of signing up one donor.
The list below provides you with a variety of ways to build your donor base. Each one includes a brief description, but the hyperlink (click each title) will take you to more detail. In many cases you will find specific examples of marketing materials you can either use as is, or modify to your liking. This list will continue to grow so check back here from time to time, looking for “updated” or “new” to see what might have changed since last time.
Before taking on some of these events we would suggest you just network with your friends and neighbors. We’ve learned the long term success of this progress is based on the connection between people, as you donate and you see others donate it encourages someone else to do the same. By starting with people you are already connected with, you can also become more familiar with the Operating System and how it makes things easier. Run a couple events this way then take on one or more of the events listed below.
As you gain your own experiences, let us know! Send screen shots, sample marketing materials and specific results. We will add those in for others to use.
Incentive Campaign/3rd Party Campaign: One of our favorites because it's a great way to bring a high volume of donors to your program. This approach uses a 3rd party's network of contacts, where they spread the word to ask their contacts to join your program. In some cases you can create even more interest by offering that 3rd party a donation for each person that signs up.
"Join Your Neighbor" Event: This is great way to add donors to your already growing event. You utilize your current donors as your 'credibility validation' by placing door hangers or brown bags on the neighbors surrounding your current donor's address. The best way is to put the name of your current donor, asking them to "join in". If they have questions they might ask your current donor. Meanwhile, you inform your current donor that you've reached out to their neighbors, encouraging them to go over and explain the program.
Canvassing: Brown Bag Event and Door Hangers: for door to door canvassing (no direct solicitation)
Music Festivals and Community Events: An ideal environment is where your community comes together in a positive way. Perhaps nothing is more positive than music festivals. A band stage is the perfect forum for a locally recognized person to make a passionate ask of the audience. A mayor, band member, or Emcee tells everyone a team of volunteers will be walking around with bags, information cards, and a QR code. They will assist in the signup and give them a bag for the 1st event.
Tabletops: in front of grocery stores, outside of a church, at a fair, or anywhere else you can set up a tabletop.
Speaking at Clubs, Church's, and other Organizations:
Please share your experiences with us so we can add those to our site.
You can decide to run your event monthly or every other month. Most programs are every-other-month, although some might say the monthly programs have a higher participating percent because they are used the frequency.
To learn more how to set up an event, go to the "P2P Event Manager". Once you’re there you’ll need to register your chapter or program to get access. From there you can click the “HELP GUIDE” to get everything you need to set up and run events.
Once you've set up your chapter, determined your plans, and set up your team its time get into the work. Here is a typical sequence you may experience;
This may all seem overwhelming. Just start, and let the steps unfold. If you are able to get a team set up to work with you it won't take long for this to build momentum. Let us know how we can help! email us at info@Porch2Pantry.org. .
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.