Little in this world gives more joy than that which giving gives. Your being here says you’re a kind, caring soul. So, before you scroll down to read more on how to write a letter to a grocery store asking them for donations, thank you for your generosity.
If you have a success story, share it
And if it’s your first charity drive, don’t let that dampen your spirits. I’ve seen volunteers go through many rejections before finding a grocery store that hasn’t already put up a donations box for some charity or another. No problem. People who like to give, like to give more.
Share your event details
If you’re the one being asked, you’d definitely want to know where your contribution goes, and who benefits from it. Describe your cause, and how they can help. The more specific you are, the easier you will make it for them to help.
Go for the non-perishables
Most grocery stores won’t donate perishable food products to avoid a possible lawsuit if the item is near its expiration date or about to spoil. Non-perishables last longer. Tell them you’ll provide a list of exactly what you need.
Give Credit
While nonprofits normally have creative agencies, who do pro bono work and would help display the donor store’s name or logo at the event and in print material. The store owner is not going to turn down your request if you don’t have access to these, and will be just as happy, even more so, to see a banner or poster made by hand to acknowledge their contribution. Remember lemonade stands? (smiley).
Here’s a sample that you can tailor and send to each grocery store in your area, asking for donations.
Sample Letter to a Grocery Store Asking for Donation
October 24, 2017
Marlene R. Jerry
Proprietor
Market Basket
82 Freed Drive
Clements, CA 95237
Dear Ms. Jerry:
House 51 is and always will be a neighborhood house, and our firefighters wanted to do something for the families who lost everything they owned in the recent fires that spread all over California.
On October 30, we are hosting a Truck Ride & Food Drive at our station, and will team up with the Salvation Army to provide hot meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking water, blankets, and clothing.
You can help by donating non-perishable grocery items and toiletries. Your contribution will not only help them for the day, since perishable goods last longer, and will benefit their injured and elderly who can’t make it to the event.
We have invited anyone in our area in need of food to come grocery shop for free at our station, from 9:00AM-5:00PM on the day. Shoppers would be able to get items such as canned foods, baby formula, snack foods and candy bars, drinks, boxed baked goods, plastic and paper plates and cups, toilet paper, diapers, new toiletry items and any other nonperishables you can contribute. Our personnel will be also help carry the groceries.
As a token of our gratitude, you will receive a ride on our trucks, a salute from our firefighters in their Class A uniform, and a spot at the press conference alongside the battalion chiefs, in tribute to your generosity. Your name and logo will be on banners and streamers, so the people you will have helped know who helped them.
If you would like to donate, please fill out the enclosed form by and drop it off at our station by 5:00 PM, October 25th, and one of our lieutenants will go over the grocery list with you and arrange for transporting the goods.
We are counting on you to help. It will make a difference for a lot of families in the neighborhood.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Captain Ralph Henry
Battalion Chief
Firehouse 51