Press Release

United Way of Allen County’s 4th Annual Community Food Drive Kicks Off Monday at Participating Starbucks Locations

Feb 19, 2024

FORT WAYNE (February 14, 2024) – United Way of Allen County is hosting its 4th annual Community Food Drive from February 19 – March 5, 2024. This event is sponsored by Ron & Kathy Turpin, Meijer, PHP, Do It Best & the Do It Best Foundation, Rea Magnet Wire, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Electric Works & Union Street Market, and Fort Wayne Newspapers.

Three local organizations will benefit from this event: Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County, Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, and Miss Virginia’s Food Pantry. With the cost of basic needs continuing to rise, more and more households are struggling. This annual food drive is one of the many ways United Way is helping relieve some of the barriers being faced regarding food security, and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of our community.

United Way of Allen County is grateful to bring everyone together to benefit these great organizations in a time of need. Robert Haworth, President & CEO of United Way of Allen County states, “After the holiday season, many food banks experience a lull in donations. Our community food drive is an initiative that works to bridge that gap and provide food to our friends, family, and neighbors in Allen County when they need it most.”

United Way is proud to partner with 32 community partner organizations that are collecting internally and 12 local Starbucks locations open for public donations, for a total of 96 collection bins across Allen County! Last year, we collected over 5,000 pounds of food, and we hope the community will help us top that during this year’s food drive.

You can drop off your food donations at any of these participating Starbucks locations:

  • Jefferson & Fairfield – 502 W. JEFFERSON BLVD.
  • Coliseum & Coldwater – 301 E. COLISEUM BLVD.
  • Lima & Ludwig – 6403 LIMA ROAD
  • Lima & Dupont – 10030 LIMA ROAD
  • Dupont & Auburn – 2132 E. DUPONT ROAD
  • Maysville & Meijer – 10104 MAYSVILLE ROAD
  • State & Coliseum – 3905 E. STATE BLVD.
  • US 27 & Tillman – 7755 SOUTHTOWN CROSSING
  • Illinois & Thomas – 4716 ILLINOIS ROAD STE 103
  • Scott and Illinois – 9801 ILLINOIS ROAD
  • Jefferson & Mallard Cove – 6801 W. JEFFERSON
  • Jefferson & I-69 – 5723 COVENTRY LANE

Food donations needed are canned meat/protein, peanut butter, canned beans, boxed dinners, rice, pasta, and cereal. These items must be unopened, non-perishable, not homemade, not expired, and not in glass containers. You can also make a monetary donation to the Community Food Drive by visiting www.unitedwayallencounty.org/food-drive or by texting FOOD24 to 41444. If you have any questions, please email volunteer@uwacin.org.

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About United Way of Allen County

Established in 1922, United Way of Allen County is a not-for-profit organization that unites our community’s time, talent, and treasure to cultivate and advance community solutions that address the most critical issues around basic needs, education, financial stability, and healthy lives. For more information, please visit www.unitedwayallencounty.org.