Why Local Nonprofit Food Pantries Need Grants to Fight the War on Hunger

Did you know that grants play a key role in local food pantries in the battle against food insecurity in our communities? Grassroots organizations like ours always appreciate food donations from the community, but financial contributions go so much further – 66% further, to be exact.

So we’re always on the hunt for grant opportunities. Nonprofit food pantries like ours need grants for not only general operating funds supporting food distribution, but also to build programs serving a greatly expanding community need.   

Olean Food Pantry also navigates an increasingly challenging economic climate. The dollar doesn’t stretch quite like it once did – impacting our ability to provide services and our clients’ to make ends meet. The result? A snowball effect of people experiencing hunger and the ability of food pantries everywhere to meet those needs.   

Our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign is committed to seeking food pantry grants, comprising a bulk (45%) of the funds we will raise.

Why Do Nonprofit Food Pantries Need Grants to Survive?

For many, local food pantries are a lifeline, ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry. We are the frontline heroes in the War on Hunger, although our praises often go unsung. That’s OK with us! We’re not here for the recognition, but providing this vital service requires more than just good intentions — it demands significant resources. 

This is where grant funding becomes essential. Community donations over the course of a year form only a fraction of our operating budget. On the other hand, nonprofit food pantries need grants to provide cash infusions amounting to thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for the mission. 

(Related reading: PRESS RELEASE: Olean Food Pantry Receives $7,500 United Way Grant to Fight Local Hunger.)

Local nonprofit food pantries like Olean Food Pantry routinely seek grants from a variety of funders whose priorities align with ours. In addition to maintaining daily operations, there are numerous other operating expenses that sometimes need grant assistance. These may include:

• Salaries/Contractual Costs: Olean Food Pantry is an all-volunteer organization, but some pantries do hire staff to manage facilities and food distribution. For our part, we must contract with third-party auditors and communications professionals. Grants often help to cover such costs.
• Facility Costs: Property costs, rent, utilities and maintenance are necessary expenses that grants help cover for many food pantries around the country. Food-service organizations like ours must maintain a welcoming and safe environment for clients, many of whom are experiencing struggles that are tough to understand. While Olean Food Pantry now fully owns our facility and land, utility and maintenance costs alone are a significant expenditure that come as an expected part of our annual budget.
• Program Development: Innovative programs like nutrition education or our Diaper Depot carry expenses beyond a general operating budget. These often require grant funding to develop and implement. Grants provide the financial backing needed to launch and sustain such initiatives.
• Technology Investments: Modern food pantry technology — such as digital client management systems or online donation platforms — enhances efficiency and service capacity. However, these upgrades also come with a cost that grants can help offset.

What Grantmakers & Funders Are Looking for in a Proposal

To secure the grants necessary to keep Olean Food Pantry running, it’s important to understand what grantmakers and funders are looking for. The funding process is often long and complicated, requiring months (or years) relationship-building and fine-tuning proposals to meet priorities. It also requires the organization itself to be “grant ready,” which means demonstrating the expertise in providing services, community outreach, documenting impact, administering large sums of money, and more.

Here’s a bit of what makes a nonprofit organization stand out:

• A Strong Case for Support: A well-crafted case for support is the foundation of any successful grant proposal. This document clearly articulates the food pantry’s mission, community need and the impact of its services to date. It tells the story of why Olean Food Pantry exists, the challenges it faces and forward-looking solutions. For funders, this narrative is crucial — they want to invest in organizations with a clear purpose, proven results and a great future strategy.
• Demonstrated Community Need: Funders are more likely to support programs that address a pressing need. In Olean Food Pantry’s case, we’ve documented a 95.4% increase in pantry usage since 2020 due to numerous socioeconomic factors in the Western New York communities served. We’ve routinely had record-setting distribution days in 2024. Grant applications must provide data and testimonials that highlight the level of food insecurity and our front-line role in alleviating it. 
• Clear Goals & Objectives: Funders want to see that their money will be well-spent. Olean Food Pantry needs to outline specific, measurable goals and objectives in our proposals. Whether it’s expanding the number of families served, launching a new nutrition program or upgrading technology, clear goals help funders understand the impact of their investment.
• Detailed Budget & Sustainability Plan: Transparency is key. Grantmakers need to see a line-item budget that dictates SPECIFICALLY how the funds will be used. They also require a sustainability plan that shows how the pantry will continue to operate after the grant period ends. This reassures funders that their investment will have a lasting impact – and leverage future philanthropy from other sources.
• Capacity to Deliver Results: Funders look for organizations with the capacity to deliver on their promises. This includes having a dedicated staff/volunteers, strong leadership and effective partnerships. OFP must showcase its track record of success and its ability to manage and grow its programs.

Olean Food Pantry’s Critical Funding Needs

Our nonprofit food pantry needs grants and other funding to fight the War on Hunger. Securing ongoing funding is more critical than ever, as community need increases with no sign of slowing down. Olean Food Pantry aims to build our financial capacity to build partnerships and invest in our communities in innovative ways. 

Here’s how:

• Program & Facility Expansion: The pantry will develop new programs that not only provide food, but also address the root causes of hunger. This includes initiatives like that connect people to resources like job training, financial literacy and nutrition education. It also includes expanding and optimizing our facility and operations to directly impact more people.  
• Technology Investments: Olean Food Pantry uses technology every day. While we primarily use tech to register clients for eligibility purposes, it also allows us to communicate our message in the digital realm. We aim to purchase additional technologies to improve food distribution, streamline operations and address systemic hunger issues.
• Capacity Building: To continue serving the community effectively, Olean Food Pantry must invest in our volunteers, infrastructure and partnerships. This includes training, equipment upgrades, and building new relationships with local farms and organizations that serve people in poverty.

Nonprofit Food Pantries Need Grants to Serve People in Need

Local nonprofit food pantries like Olean Food Pantry are on the front lines of the fight against hunger. To continue providing these vital services, we need financial support — support that often comes in the form of grants. 

By crafting compelling proposals that highlight the pantry’s mission, community need and capacity to deliver results, OFP can secure the funding necessary to sustain and grow our services. We invite you to learn more about our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign to get involved however you can!