During the peak of the giving season, we’ve received an incredible amount of food from our generous community. From workplace and school food drives to donations from places of worship, sports teams, and individuals—our warehouse has been buzzing as we work to find space for it all.

It made us realize: once someone drops off a donation, they rarely get to see what happens next. So we’re here to show you! Follow along as we take you through the journey of a food donation from start to finish.

#1 Drop Off

Every journey begins at the back of our building, where donors drop off their items. Donation drive-up hours are Monday 9:30 AM–12:30 PM and Tuesday/Thursday 1:30–6:30 PM. Simply follow the signs and drive around the west side of the building to pull up to our donation dock.

A volunteer will greet you, help unload your donations, and bring everything into the warehouse. If you’re able, we always appreciate assistance with unloading. You can also request a receipt for proof of donation at this time.

#2 Weighing

Once inside, your donation begins its processing journey. Everything entering or leaving our warehouse is carefully weighed so we can track inventory, measure community impact, and plan for future needs.

A volunteer loads your items onto a cart, brings them to the scale, and records the weight.  This quick step gives us a clear picture of the volume of support we receive each day.

#3 Sorting & Inspection

Next, donations move to our sorting area. Here, volunteers sort items into color-coded bins based on categories that we have in the food shelf including proteins, grains, snacks, etc. This is also where we inspect each item—checking expiration dates, looking for dents or damage, and ensuring everything is safe and high quality for clients.

#4 On to the shelves

As inventory in the food shelf dwindles throughout the week, we replenish it with incoming donations. Once items are sorted, they make their way onto the shelves in our SuperShelf.

This is where your food donation truly comes to life—becoming part of a dignified shopping experience where clients choose the foods that best meet their needs. Whether it’s a parent picking out favorite snacks for their kids or someone finding the ingredients they need for a cherished recipe, your donation supports dignity, choice, and health every step of the way.

#5 Impact

The final step of a donated food item’s journey is the part you don’t  see—but it’s the most important. Each item you donate directly supports individuals and families in the community. Whether it becomes part of a week’s worth of groceries, helps stretch a tight budget, or simply brings comfort through a favorite food, your donation makes a real and immediate difference.

When I first came in for food, I didn’t realize what it was going to be like. But when I walked in, everybody had a smile on their face, everything was clean, and the food was great. There was stuff in here I could get that I never could get anywhere else. It’s like a miracle to be able to come here.”

Thanks to your generosity, households can prepare meals they enjoy, try new items, and shop with dignity in a welcoming environment. Every jar of peanut butter, box of pasta, can of chicken, and bag of flour contributes to someone’s well-being.

Want to Host a Drive?

Interested in hosting a food drive for some of our top-needed food shelf items? Check out our tool kit for guidelines on hosting a successful drive. If you have questions, contact Debbie at [email protected] or call 651-342-5569.