Plan a food drive concert

Putting on a concert can be a great way to collect cans for your drive. Plus, you get the added bonus of hearing some great music and seeing some awesome performances.

Steps 1: Build your team

Put together a host committee. You don’t have to do this alone. It’s going to take a lot of organizing and leg work so get some people on board that are as passionate as you. Delegate!

Step 2: Come up with a cool theme

One option would be a Battle of the Bands where the audience votes using donated food. Whichever band collects the most food votes, wins. Or you could do a more traditional concert and have food items be the price of admission. It's up to you.

Step 3: Most important - find a band

Find a band that is willing to perform, preferably for a small fee or for free. You could use your school band, bands made up of your classmates, or even a local band that's known in the area.

If you can't find a band through your contacts, it's time to research and cold call. Research can be done through the local papers and the Internet. Make calls to the managers of the performing acts you want. See if you can reach a deal. Many people will perform at a lower rate or free for charity, as it is a tax write-off.

Step 4: Find a place

Book a venue. Your school is a great place to start. Otherwise, use connections, do your research and make cold calls. Is there an outdoor space in your neighborhood that would serve as a cool spot? Contact your local city hall and see what you have to do to get a permit (you’ll probably need one).

Step 5: When and where

Set a date and time. Check the local papers to make sure that your event isn't on a date where a lot of things are scheduled.

Step 6: Who's coming?

Facebook, MySpace and evite.com are great places to start. To get beyond your circle, make fliers for your event and post them in popular places in town like the supermarket, phone booths, kiosks, local coffee shops, etc.

Step 7: Get out the word

Send press releases to the local newspapers, websites, radio stations and television stations (including the local cable access channel) for the community calendar. See if your local paper will give you a newspaper ad for free or a nominal fee, after all this is a benefit…

Step 8: Write it down

You’re having multiple performances, so create a program. This will also give hunger in your area and your arts program you want to support.

Step 9: Freebies

Find a local grocery store to donate some food to your event in exchange for making them a sponsor. Just remember to thank them A LOT at the event and put a big thank you in the program!

Step 10: Getting down to the details

Hire a sound technician if one does not come along with the venue. Does your school have an AV club? Maybe some techies from the drama club would be willing to help? Never hurts to ask.

Step 11: Volunteers

You'll need some helping hands. Ask your principal if the event will qualify as community service hours your school might require for graduation.

Step 12: Day of

Prepare the venue the day of. You may want to put up decorations. You don’t have to overdo it but you don’t want it to be plain either.

Tips

• Be courteous at all times. People won't donate to people who are rude to them.
• Make sure you have all the right information and that everything you send is properly written and spelled. It's all in the details.
• If this is an outdoor concert, rent a tent or have one donated. In addition, it would be a good idea to set a rain-date.
• If you know someone who can do graphics, have them make the invitation.
• Find a meticulous proofreader for all the invitations and PR material you send out.
• Selling food and drinks at the event is a good way to raise more money. Often you can get these items donated from local restaurants, supermarkets and food companies.
• You may want to hold a raffle or auction in conjunction with the concert. Get the prize donated.
• Make sure all posters have clear directions about how to get to your venue.
• In all your literature and requests, make sure you clearly and concisely state what the cause is.
• Know your audience. Do research on your local area so you know what kind of events people attend and more importantly, avoid.
• Volunteers make a big difference. If you can't guilt your friends into helping you, you can always post on sites like http://www.volunteermatch.com for help.
• Try to find a local or corporate sponsor. It will give you a bigger budget to work with, attract more people to the event and will ultimately make you more money.
• Remember: Unless your best friend runs a record company, do not expect a big name celebrity to play your concert.
• Make sure you clearly state what it is you want from donors, but be open to what they have to offer.