Fill a Bag. Feed a Neighbor.
JANUARY COMMUNITY IDEA | STEAL THIS IDEA
A simple way to reconnect, give back, and bring your community together.
The holidays may be over, but the need for food donations certainly isn't!
Here's an easy way to help replenish your local food bank while reconnecting with past clients, neighbors, and friends.
The idea is simple: Drop off an empty grocery bag with a personalized Awkward Agent tag and an instruction flyer tucked inside. Invite recipients to fill the bag with nonperishable food, leave it on their front porch on a designated pickup day, and you'll take care of the rest!
Why We Love This Idea
You're giving people an easy opportunity to make a difference without having to leave home.
For agents, it's a meaningful way to reconnect with people in their sphere, demonstrate community involvement, and create a positive experience that has nothing to do with buying or selling a house.
And there's something pretty great about pulling up to a food bank with an SUV full of donations collected by your own community!
What You'll Need
- Brown paper grocery bags with handles
- Editable Awkward Agent Food Drive tags (Canva template provided)
- Printable 8.5" × 11" instruction flyers with donation guidelines, pickup details, and agent contact information (editable Canva template provided)
- Twine or ribbon to attach the tags
- Single-hole punch
- List of participating clients and neighbors
- Vehicle for collecting and delivering donations
- Local food bank to receive the donations
Where to Shop
We've made gathering your supplies easy!
Check out our curated Amazon shopping list for grocery bags, twine, and other helpful supplies to put your Food Drive together.
SHOP OUR FOOD DRIVE SUPPLY LIST
Prices and availability may vary. Choose the supplies and quantities that work best for your budget.
Grab Your Editable Canva Templates
We've already done the design work! All you need to do is personalize, print, and get ready to make a difference.
Food Drive Bag Tags
Customize the tags with your name, brokerage, and contact information. Print, punch a hole at the top, and attach one to each bag with twine or ribbon.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR FOOD DRIVE BAG TAGS IN CANVA
Food Drive Instruction Flyers
These printable 8.5" × 11" flyers go inside each grocery bag so participants know exactly what to do.
Customize the flyer with your pickup date and time, donation guidelines, participating food bank, and contact information.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR FOOD DRIVE INSTRUCTION FLYER IN CANVA
How to Make It Happen
1. Partner With a Local Food Bank
Before getting started, contact a local food bank to confirm what items they need most, whether they accept community collections, and when you can deliver donations.
2. Choose Your Dates
Select a day to drop off the empty bags and a separate day to collect the donations.
We recommend giving participants several days to fill their bags.
3. Prepare Your Bags
Personalize and print your Awkward Agent tags and instruction flyers.
Attach a tag to each bag using twine or ribbon. Then place an instruction flyer inside each bag so recipients have everything they need, including the pickup date, time, and suggested donations.
4. Deliver Your Bags
Drop the empty bags at participating clients' and neighbors' homes.
A quick text beforehand is a thoughtful touch so they know what to expect.
5. Collect the Donations
On your designated collection day, pick up the filled bags from participating homes.
Keep a list of your stops so nobody gets overlooked!
6. Deliver to Your Food Bank
Load up your vehicle and deliver the collected food to your community partner.
What Should People Donate?
Start with your food bank's current wish list.
Commonly requested items include:
- Canned vegetables and fruit
- Canned soups and beans
- Peanut butter
- Pasta and rice
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Shelf-stable milk
- Canned tuna or chicken
- Other unopened, shelf-stable foods
Ask participants to avoid expired items, opened packaging, and anything the receiving food bank doesn't accept.
Awkward Agent Tip: Include the most-needed donation items directly on your instruction flyer. It makes shopping easier for participants and helps ensure your food bank receives useful donations.
Get the Word Out
Start with a personal invitation to your clients, friends, and neighbors.
You can also promote the drive through:
- Text messages
- Social media
- Neighborhood groups
- Your brokerage
- Community organizations
Consider inviting other agents in your office to participate. You can cover more neighborhoods, collect more donations, and make a bigger impact together.
Don't Forget the Follow-Up!
Once the donations have been delivered, thank everyone who participated.
Consider sharing a photo of your vehicle filled with bags or the final delivery, with permission from anyone pictured.
If your food bank can provide the total weight or number of items collected, share that too!
Most importantly, let people know how much you appreciate their generosity.
Make It Your Own
Keep It Small: Start with 20–30 past clients or neighbors.
Make It an Office Event: Invite other agents to collect donations in their own neighborhoods.
Make It Annual: Turn your food drive into a recurring client appreciation and community service tradition.
One Last Awkward Agent Tip
You don't always need to give your clients something to stay top of mind.
Sometimes, giving them an opportunity to give back is even better.
This is relationship marketing with a purpose. And the best part? Everyone benefits.
Stand out. Stay in touch. Be remembered.
