Host a drive
Thanks for your interest in hosting a drive for SHIM. We know that if a family is in crisis, they may lack access to basic human needs like food, clothing and personal items like shampoo, diapers and linens. About 25% of food and all of the clothing we distribute each year comes from generous community donors like you.
Consider hosting a drive as a service project for cub scouts or girl scouts, or as a mitzvah project for your bar or bat mitzvah. Donation drives are also a great way to log community service hours and volunteer with community groups. From sports teams to congregations, neighbors like you can have a huge impact when you host a drive for SHIM.
Food Drive
SHIM purchases needed items for our pantries from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. As certain foods are not always available for wholesale purchase at the Food Bank, our most needed items are listed below.
Most needed items for SHIM’s food pantries
- Pasta sauce in jars
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Low sodium soups
- Condiments for baking (flour, sugar, oil)
- Adult pullup diapers
- Wipes
- Dog and cat food
- Personal care items (shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine items, etc.)
Most needed items for our refugee and immigrant neighbors
- Dried beans (kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, etc.)
- Lentils
- Rice
- Flour
- Cooking Oil
- Sugar
- Spices and seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic, ginger, chili powder, turmeric, etc.)
- Diapers
Ready to Get Started?
Download the customizable drive poster and/or this food drive sign and complete the form below.
You can also download these printable cards to share with supporters to help spread the word!
Interested in seeing firsthand the impact of your drive? We’re happy to schedule a tour of our food pantry with your donation drop off. Find out how many pounds of food you’ve collected and see how SHIM uses donated items to feed neighbors.
Donation Drive FAQs
Though SHIM purchases needed items for our pantries from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, certain foods are not always available for wholesale purchase at the Food Bank. Donations from people like you help keep pantry shelves stocked for our neighbors in need.
Please see the lists to the left or download our flyer here.
Anyone can host a food drive! Food drives are a great way to get involved for individuals, groups, schools, civic organizations, congregations, clubs, and more. Drives of any size make a difference. Our neighbors in the South Hills are always in need of support, and every contribution– big or small– can help.
Donations are accepted at the SHIM Center, located at 2601 South Park Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102. Donations can be dropped off on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays between 10am and 4pm. You do not need to make an appointment to drop off your donations.
Of course! In addition to food, SHIM is always in need of pet food, diapers, and personal care items. In the colder months, coat drives help keep children in our neighborhood warm. Please let us know in the comments section of the registration form below if you plan on hosting a drive like this.
We cannot accept donations of furniture or electronic appliances. We cannot accept household items or children’s toys from a hosted drive.
Yes! We can provide brown paper bags branded with SHIM’s logo and website to make hosting your drive easier. Please stop by the SHIM Center in Bethel Park during our business hours, or contact us with any questions.
Please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator Amanda at abaezsnyder@shimcares.org.
Financial Support
You can also host a monetary donation drive, where you encourage your community to give gifts of check or cash donations. SHIM purchases 75% of the food that is distributed at our pantries. With 500% buying power at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, that means every $1 can buy $5 worth of groceries.
Interested in hosting a financial donation drive?
We also accept gift cards, especially to Walmart, Giant Eagle, and GetGo.
