7 Reasons to run a Virtual Food Drive this winter

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A woman wearing a red North York Harvest Food Bank sweater types on a computer stacked on top of a makeshift desk made of boxes of food at the food bank.

A Virtual Food Drive is an online fundraiser you can start with your work, your neighbours, your sports team – any time, anywhere. North York Harvest Food Bank relies on community food drives to collect essential food donations, but we understand a physical fundraiser might not be for everyone.

A Virtual Food Drive raises essential funds instead, so we can purchase our most-needed items and distribute them quickly to meet the urgent needs of our community today.

Here are 7 reasons why this may be the fundraiser you’ve been looking for!

1. It’s winter-friendly
Snowstorms, icy sidewalks, and freezing temperatures can make in-person food drives challenging. A Virtual Food Drive keeps generosity flowing, no matter the forecast.

A woman is seen from behind, stocking full shelves of essential food and diapers at the North York Harvest Food Bank.

2. Every dollar goes further, $1 donated = $2 Food
Virtual Food Drives allow North York Harvest to purchase food in bulk — stretching each donation to provide more essential food to our neighbours.

3. It’s easy to start, anywhere
No shopping, storing, or transporting bags of heavy food required. Virtual Food Drives can be set up in minutes with minimal coordinating and logistics on your end. Just rally your network, set a goal, and watch the community impact fill up your team’s fundraising page.

A four-step explainer of how to start a Virtual Food Drive at North York Harvest Food Bank, including setting up your team page and sending email templates to remind folks to donate.

4. No effort is wasted
Online donations don’t expire, get dropped and dented, or need to be thrown out. You can know that 100% of your fundraising efforts = 100% impact for our community.

5. It’s more accessible for everyone
Virtual Food Drives remove physical barriers, making it easier for people with mobility challenges, busy schedules, or limited transportation to participate.

6. Support when demand is highest
Winter is one of the hardest times of year for food banks, as heating costs rise and household budgets are stretched. Your Virtual Food Drive delivers help when it’s needed most.

7. Turn any occasion into community support
 Birthdays, milestones, team challenges—whatever the occasion, a Virtual Food Drive is a meaningful way to connect with others while making a real difference in North York.

In the foreground is a box of donated items including food and diapers, in the background a person can be seen handing a bag of donated foods to another individual at the North York Harvest Food Bank warehouse.

Ready to get started? Your Virtual Food Drive can be run as a standalone fundraiser OR with a physical food drive to give everyone in your network a chance to participate. 

In just a few clicks, you’ll be on your way to helping neighbours fill plates and nourish belonging across North York. Register your Virtual Food Drive today!

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