Being featured in your local food pantry or food bank newsletter is a powerful way to increase awareness of your PORCH chapter. These newsletters reach donors, volunteers, partners, and community leaders who already care about food access, helping build credibility, visibility, and trust in your community.
A short spotlight can lead to new volunteers, increased donations, and stronger relationships with pantry staff. It also creates reusable content for social media, outreach, and future press for your first anniversary or grants.
PORCH Holly Springs sent a brief introduction and impact summary to their pantry contact. They were featured in the pantry’s monthly newsletter, helping keep their chapter top of mind with supporters and strengthening the pantry partnership.
How to get featured:
Ask your pantry if they share a newsletter or community updates.
Send a short email including:
Who PORCH is and your chapter name
What you collect and how often
A brief impact highlight
Photos
Ask if they can include a short spotlight or mention.
An outreach template and example are available in the Pantry/Outreach Resources folder.
Brand Power: What's in a PORCH name
PORCH’s brand relies on being immediately recognizable, which starts with using its name correctly. The name PORCH is highly visible on signs, shirts, bags, and other materials. Consistent use of the fully capitalized name reinforces brand recognition and helps create a lasting impression with donors, volunteers, and the broader community. When the name is presented consistently, it strengthens trust, credibility, and awareness of PORCH’s work.
The correct way to use PORCH in your communications:
PORCH Austin (Caballo Ranch) vs PORCH Caballo Ranch.
Austin is the city where PORCH is located, while Caballo Ranch is the neighborhood hosting a food drive.
PORCH Phoenix vs PORCH-Phoenix vs PORCH_Phoenix.
No punctuation is needed between PORCH and the city.
PORCH Clarksville vs Porch Clarksville.
PORCH is always capitalized.
We will reach out to ask that you correct Canva and/or social media post as soon as possible. And if you have a neighborhood posting on their Facebook or socials, ensure they're using the correct naming scheme of PORCH City (Neighborhood).
Volunteer Recruitment: Get Involved Forms
You received an email (to your PORCH email) from Zakiya explaining how the new embedded Get Involved form on your chapter page will support your volunteer recruitment efforts. Over time, this will replace the Google Form you used to collect inquiries. We’ll work with each chapter to determine when to phase out the Google Form, particularly if you've shared it with your community. The Google Sheet will remain in place so you can continue to organize and manage incoming interest.
We appreciate your patience as we work through a few hiccups and connection issues. Your participation is helping us build capacity and awareness of how PORCH is seen in the community. Thank you for your continued support and flexibility as we move this work forward.
Resources: The Get Involved process in the Chapter Shared folders and how to leverage your PORCH Gmail tools to create message templates to easily respond to different volunteer inquiries and setting up a Gmail signature.
Fundraising: Partnering with businesses
When a business approaches your chapter to partner on a fundraising activity, whether through an event, promotion, or a direct gift, it’s important to plan how you will engage and they will support you. We have a resource on how to set clear expectations, align on roles and timelines, and determine how the funds will be received and acknowledged. Taking these steps ensures a positive experience for both the business and your chapter. More information in Chapter Folder / Fundraising
James, chapter lead for PORCH Pflugerville, leveraged an opportunity with a local restaurant to share PORCH’s mission and recruit new volunteers. The restaurant connected with James through his social media. In advance of the on-site event, James worked with Alyssa to create and order printed materials for distribution. Jennifer shared guidance as to how the business can make its financial contribution by issuing a check to PORCH Communities, designated for PORCH Pflugerville. These funds can then be used to purchase additional materials such as signs and shirts for new and current coordinators.
Social Media Spotlight: PORCH Fuquay Varina, NC
Kari and her neighborhood coordinator, in Saddle Run, completed their 1st collection. Ask your coordinators to share photos from their collections. By including them, you let the community see the breadth of PORCH support while your coordinators (and their volunteers) feel included. Follow PORCH Fuquay Varina at https://www.facebook.com/porchfuquayvarina
1st collections: add names each month, 6th and 12th milestones.
Quarterly we'll add up the pounds
The Front PORCH is your go-to space for tools, tips, and resources to help you build and grow your chapter. Check often for new items. And email us for a resource that doesn't yet exist. Ensure you're signed into your PORCH email to have full access to all materials.
Recently Added: Merchandise order form Your request will be reviewed by the Chapter Support team. T-shirts, yard signs, and printed materials are eligible through your Chapter Growth Account.
