Question 1

How do I Donate?

Accepted Answer

Donations Are Appreciated
The Fauquier Community Food Bank serves an average of 1400 individuals a month. As a non-profit organization, we depend on the generosity of individuals, families, community groups, companies, and institutions to keep the lights on, the refrigerators humming, and food on the shelves. We accept donations of food, money, and through our Thrift Store, household goods (furniture, kitchenware, clothing, jewelry, and so on). The proceeds from sales at the Thrift Store help fund the Food Bank. The Fauquier Community Food Bank and Thrift Store is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization, in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.
 
Monetary Donations
Join us in our fight against hunger by providing a financial donation today. You can drop by our office with cash or checks, mail us your donation, or use PayPal to make a donation. To donate through the PayPal Giving Fund website please use the following link. Paypal Donation Link
Please make checks payable to the “Fauquier Community Food Bank & Thrift Store” and mail to:
Fauquier Community Food Bank & Thrift Store
249 East Shirley Avenue
Warrenton, Virginia 20186
Please drop off donations of food at the Food Bank anytime between 9am and 3pm, Monday through Friday. The Thrift Store can also take your food donations on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
 
Goods Donations
Household goods can be donated anytime between 9am and 3pm, Tuesday through Friday or Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.  Goods donated will be used in our Thrift Store to partially fund our Food Bank needs.
 
Plant a Row for the Hungry
If you have a green thumb, please consider planting an extra row for the Food Bank. Fresh produce is always appreciated by our clients. Plant-a-Row is a program of the Garden Writers Association. Last year we received more than 20 tons of fresh food from local farmers and gardeners.
 
Our thanks for the generosity of the following major food donors:
Giant of Warrenton
Sam’s Club of Sterling
Food Lion of Bealeton
Food Lion of Warrenton
Great Harvest Bread of Warrenton
Harris Teeter of Warrenton
Safeway of Warrenton
Wegmens of Gainesville
Walmart of Warrenton
Walmart Dulles Landing
Longhorn Steakhouse
Wawa of Warrenton
Sheetze of Warrenton
Sheetze of Bealeton
Bonefish Grill
 
Spring and Summer Produce provided by the Fauquier Education Farm, Airlie Foundation and many other donors.

Question 2

How do I Hold a Fundraiser?

Accepted Answer

Holding a fundraiser to benefit the Food Bank can be fun and a tremendous help to the community. It could be a one-time event, a periodic occurrence, or an on-going action. Here are some ideas on how to organize a fundraiser.
Please contact us, either the Store Manager Sharon Ames or Tom Baccei, FCFB&TS Board President, at 540-359-6054. We can help publicize the fundraiser.

Decide on the type of fundraiser you will organize. Here are some ideas.

- Collect coins in large jars at work or in the classroom. Every penny counts.
- Hold a concert, sporting event, gala, dinner, or pet parade. Entry fee to be donated to FCFB&TS.
- Sell cookies, holiday ornaments, crafts, books, you name it.
- Raffle off a toaster, a day at the spa, a full-service car detailing.
- Lots more ideas…

Advertise your campaign.
Get the word out through flyers, posters, banners, Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail. Announce it at meetings and put it in the company or school newsletter.

Motivate your fundraising crew.
Set a goal and then show your progress with interim reports on the amount of dollars raised.

Present your contribution to the Food Bank & Thrift Store.
Feel free to call in advance to arrange a check presentation ceremony! We are happy to shake your hand and thank you in person. If you would rather, you can mail a check made out to “The Fauquier Food Bank & Thrift Store” and send to:

249 East Shirley Avenue
Warrenton, VA 20186.

Thank you and your group for their effort.
Always follow up your campaign with a letter or e-mail of thanks. Tell people how much their effort was appreciated and how much was raised. Remind them of the importance of their contribution in helping to fight hunger and feed their neighbors in need.
And thank you for your support!

Question 3

How do I Hold a Food Drive?

Accepted Answer

Holding a food drive is a simple and easy way to help the food bank boost its food supplies and serve more people. Food drives can be large or small, one time, or on-going. Regardless of the size, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure it is a success. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Coordinate with us.
Please contact our store Manager Sharon Ames or Tom Baccei, FCFB&TS Board President, at 540-359-6054, to tell us about your food drive ideas. We can provide you with a list of any specific needs, as well as coordinate a mutually convenient time for delivery or pick up.

Determine date and time.
Food drives are popular around the holidays, but there’s no need to wait to organize one. Make a real difference any time of the year. You may be able to get more donations during a time of year when people aren’t giving in so many other areas of their lives.

Ask for donations and volunteers.
Consider people in your family, neighborhood, school, church, workplace or community. There are lots of creative ways to collect items. Be sure to keep the collection box in a central place accessible to everyone:

- Put a clear plastic storage bin in a break-room or reception area to collect donations.
- Ask neighbors to leave donations by their mailbox for you to collect on a specific date.
- Encourage guests to bring donations to a party at your home instead of a host(ess) gifts.
- More ideas…

Get the word out.
Let people know about your food drive, what is needed, and when and where to drop off donations.

- Insert a flyer in mailboxes.
- Send emails.
- Post on Facebook. You can find us at https://www.facebook.com/FauquierCommunityFoodBankandThriftStore/
- Make an announcement in your school, association, or company newsletter.
- Hang flyers in the cafeteria or other public space so everyone can see it.
- Ask your friends and family to ask their friends to participate.

Thank all donors.

- Graciously accept all donations, no matter how big or small. Everything helps.
- Afterward, send a thank you note (maybe by group e-mail) to everyone thanking them for participating, and encouraging them to donate to the food pantry on their own.
- Celebrate your success and tell people who participated how many cans, or other items, you collected for the food bank.

Deliver all the food donations you collect.
The Fauquier Community Food Bank regular hours for accepting food donations are Monday through Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm. You may also call or email to set up a scheduled time to drop off donations. Be sure to organize your volunteers to help (if you have a lot of donations to deliver).

Question 4

How do I Volunteer My Time?

Accepted Answer

Time Donations
Volunteers are vital to the success of the Fauquier Community Food Bank and Thrift Store efforts to help people in our community who need our assistance. We are grateful for the many individuals and families who share their time and talents by volunteering at the Food Bank and Thrift Store. Children are welcome to volunteer, but if they are under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a guardian. All volunteers are required to dress appropriately (shorts must be knee length, shirts must have sleeves and can not show excessive skin (example: cleavage or back exposed), cell phone use is not permitted during community service hours.
 
Help Needed In Many Areas
If you have time to volunteer when the Food Bank & Thrift Store is open to our clients, please complete the volunteer application below.  You can be there to assist our clients as they “shop” through our shelves.
If that doesn’t fit your schedule there are other ways you can help. For instance, we always need help stocking shelves. At any time, you can help by volunteering to organize a food drive. We often need volunteers to help at fundraising events and to organize fundraisers. Sometimes we need help with painting and other building projects.
 
How Do I Volunteer
If you have an interest in volunteering to work at the Fauquier Community Food Bank & Thrift Store, please fill out the Volunteer Application and drop by the Food Bank & Thrift Store. Call us with any questions at 540-359-6054.

Please know that we value your gift of time as volunteers in our community.

Frequently asked questions

How do I Donate?

How do I Hold a Fundraiser?

How do I Hold a Food Drive?

How do I Volunteer My Time?

Contact Us and Join Our Mailing List