Give Support Receive Support
MENUCLOSE

Give Support

Receive Support

Close

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions.

Receive SupportCorporations / Organizations

Who would like to receive food:
Corporations / Organizations

I would like to set up a food pantry, how do I get food donations?

There are certain requirements for food donations. Please refer to this page for information on the "Flow of Food Donations" and "Activities Eligible for Food Donation and Activities Not Eligible (Examples).

I would like to use food products in activities conducted by my corporation.

There are certain requirements for food donations. Please refer to this page for information on the "Flow of Food Donations" and "Activities Eligible for Food Donation and Activities Not Eligible (Examples).

If there is a food item I want, can I be sure I will receive it?

Since the food items provided are donated by corporations and individuals, we cannot guarantee to provide the requested food items.

Receive SupportIndividuals

Who would like to receive food:
Individuals

Can anyone receive food?

For the first time, the service is open to everyone. Opening hours and days of the week vary depending on the location where the food is served, so please visit this page for more information and to visit the location nearest you where the food is served.

What if I want to continue using the service?

Continued use is possible by meeting certain requirements. For details, please ask at the reception desk for the information provided on this page and an explanation at the time of your first visit.

What if there is no pick-up location of my choice?

Please use this map to find an available pick-up location near you, and contact the operating organization directly. Please note that this includes food pantries operated by organizations other than Second Harvest Japan.

If there is there a food item I want, can I be sure I will receive it?

Since the food items provided are donated by corporations and individuals, we cannot guarantee to provide the requested food items.

What should I do if I need to confirm or contact you about the food I received?

Please use this web form to contact us.

Give SupportCorporations / Organizations

Who would like to give support:
Corporations / Organizations

Who would like to donate money

If I make a donation, can I have my company name or logo listed on the donor page of the website?

Depending on the content, frequency, and volume of your donation, we may post your donation on the donor page of our website after confirming in advance whether or not we can post your donation on our website. Please note that the conditions for listing are changed every year based on overall trends, and therefore may not always be posted on the website.

Can I have the donated money used exclusively for a specific purpose?

We are very sorry, but we are basically unable to accept limited-use applications, with the exception of applications for support in specific projects.

Who would like to donate food

Will you accept a smaller amount to donate?

Yes, we accept from one box upwards. Or, we can accept small quantities or bulk products.

Do you accept food for commercial use?

Yes, we accept food for business use. However, there are some restrictions. Please see this page for details and contact us each time you make a donation.

I am considering donating company-owned food products, can I send them through the individual donation procedure?

If you would like to donate food as a corporation, please refer to this page for details, as the conditions and flow of application are different from those for individual donors.

I am considering donating owned food products, will you accept them immediately?

We will confirm in advance the expiration date, type, quantity, and method of donation of the donated food items. Please note that acceptance of your donation is not confirmed upon receipt of your contact. Please see this page for more details.

If I make a donation, can I have my company name or logo listed on the donor page of the website?

Please note that we are unable to make any promises in advance, as the listing criteria will change each year depending on the content, frequency and volume of the support.

Can you come pick up food items to be donated?

No, we do not pick up food.

Can we donate shareholder incentive food products?

Yes, you can. Please see this page for more details.

Where will the donated food be provided?

Food is provided to welfare facilities such as orphanages, maternal and child support facilities, facilities for the disabled, food pantry management organizations, and individuals in need of food for reasons such as poverty.

Who would like to donate disaster-relief food

I am considering donating company-owned disaster preparedness food, can I send it through the individual donation procedure?

If you would like to donate food as a corporation, please refer to this page for details, as the conditions and flow of application are different from those for individual donors.

I am considering donating company-owned disaster preparedness food, will you accept it immediately?

We will confirm in advance the expiration date, type, quantity, and method of donation of the donated food items. Please note that acceptance of your donation is not confirmed upon receipt of your contact. Please see this page for more details.

If I make a donation, can I have my company name or logo listed on the donor page of the website?

Depending on the content, frequency, and volume of your donation, we may post your donation on the donor page of our website after confirming in advance whether or not we can post your donation on our website. Please note that the conditions for listing are changed every year based on overall trends, and therefore may not always be posted on the website.

Can you come pick up food items to be donated?

No, we do not pick up food.

Who would like to volunteer

What should I do if I want more than one person to volunteer from my company?

The process for volunteering as a company differs from volunteering as an individual. Please contact us using the web form on the "For corporations/organizations wishing to cooperate as volunteers" page.

Are there any support activities I can do without going to Second Harvest Japan?

As a means of food donation, please consider organizing a food drive to collect food in your neighborhood, community, workplace, or school, or an Adopt-a-Family to send packages filled with food to specific households.

Give SupportIndividuals

Who would like to give support:
Individuals

Who would like to donate money

If I donate money to Second Harvest Japan, can I get a tax deduction?

Yes, we are a certified non-profit organization and your donation is tax deductible. Please note that if you do not provide us with your name and address when you make a donation, we will treat it as an anonymous donation. For more information, please click here.

I have made a continuing donation, but want to cancel or change my credit card.

We accept inquiries through our inquiry form. Please use this form to contact us.

Can I have the donated money used exclusively for a specific purpose?

We are very sorry, but we are basically unable to accept limited-use applications, with the exception of applications for support in specific projects.

Who would like to donate food

What types of foods are most appreciated?

The following food items tend to be in high demand, but we also accept donations of foods other than those listed here.
- Staple foods such as rice, dried noodles, etc.
- Canned foods (meat, fish, vegetables)
- Freeze-dried foods
- Instant foods
- Retort pouch foods
- Seasonings
- Confectionery
- Beverages (juice, coffee, tea, etc.)

Can I donate even a small amount?

Yes, we accept donations even in small quantities.
As a means of collecting food, please consider holding a food drive in your neighborhood, community, or school.

Do I need to contact you in advance (before shipping) before donating?

No, you do not need to contact us in advance before donating/shipping. However, if you are considering a large donation (10 or more cardboard boxes, 500kg or more of rice, 100kg or more of brown rice, etc.), it would be appreciated if you could contact us in advance.

Do I need to specify the day and time of arrival when shipping?

Yes, please specify that the package should arrive Monday through Friday mornings. Please do not schedule arrival on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, as this will delay receipt.

Can I donate expired items?

No, you cannot. Food items must have a shelf life of at least one month.

Can I donate food that does not have an expiration date printed on it?

No, you cannot. However, certain foods that are not required to have an expiration date (such as salt and sugar) can be donated even if they do not have an expiration date printed on them.

Can I donate food that has been opened?

No, you cannot. We do not accept food that has the outer packaging opened, even if it is individually packaged. However, we can accept rice even if the outer packaging is open, as long as it is sealed or repackaged so that it will not spill/break during transportation. (Any specification of packaging is acceptable).

Can I donate frozen or refrigerated food?

Yes, we can accept them. In that case, please send it by cool delivery or other means that will ensure proper temperature control.

Can I donate fruits and vegetables?

Yes, we can accept food items as long as they are freshly harvested, including homegrown items. In order for us to unpack and sort them as quickly as possible, it would be helpful if you could include the specific name of the item ("komatsuna", "mandarin oranges", etc.) for vegetables and fruits on the waybill or other documents."

Can I donate rice or glutinous rice?

Yes, you can. We can also accept donations from farmers.

Is foreign rice acceptable?

No. Only Japanese rice is accepted.

I am considering donating rice, but there are bugs/stones, etc. mixed in.

No, we can not accept rice that is contaminated with non-food items.

How long can rice be accepted after it has been milled?

We request that any rice donated is within 2 years of milling.

After purchasing rice, if I divide it into small portions, such as zipper bags, can you still accept it as is?

Yes, we can accept rice even if it is divided into smaller portions.

Can I donate brown rice?

Yes, we accept it. If possible, it would be helpful if you could send us the rice milled beforehand.

Can I donate baby food or formula?

Yes, we can accept them.

Can I donate foreign-made confectionery?

Yes, they are accepted. If so, please make sure that the expiration date is indicated and that the expiration date is at least one month from now.

Can I donate homemade food?

No, we are very sorry, but we do not accept homemade food.

Can I donate alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, sake, etc.)?

No, we do not accept donations of alcoholic beverages.

Can I donate medical oral nutritional products or supplements?

No, we do not accept those items.

Can I donate non-food items (e.g., clothing, office supplies, kitchen items such as split open plates, paper plates and utensils, disaster prevention supplies, etc.)?

No, we do not accept donations of non-food sundries.

Can you come pick up food items to be donated?

No, we do not pick up food.

Can I bring food items in and donate them in person instead of by courier?

Yes, we can accept them if you bring them to our pantry office. Please bring them to our office (Higashikanda 3-7-3, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0031) between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon on any Tuesday through Saturday.

Can I donate food anonymously?

No, we do not accept anonymous food donations.

Can I donate food purchased online, such as from Amazon or Rakuten, to 2hj as the recipient?

Yes, no problem!

Can I donate my hometown tax returns to 2hj?

Yes, no problem!

Where will the donated food be provided?

The food is provided to individuals who need it for reasons such as being impoverished.

Can I get a receipt for donated food?

No, we do not issue receipts for donated food items sent to us.

Who would like to donate disaster-relief food

Can I donate food items such as dried bread, rice, or canned food for stockpiling?

Yes.

Can I donate non-food items (aluminum blankets, lights, etc.) for disaster prevention?

No, we do not accept donations of non-food sundries.

Who would like to volunteer

Where can I find out about volunteer opportunities?

The calendar on this page allows you to check the availability of applications for each day of the program.

Are there other volunteer activities in addition to those listed on the calendar?

Yes, we are currently in need of driver volunteers especially to pick up/deliver food. More information can be found here.

How do I apply to volunteer for the first time?

Please click here to register as a new volunteer.

What should I do once I have registered as a volunteer?

Please select your desired volunteer activity from the calendar on this page to make a reservation.

Is there an age limit for participation in volunteer activities?

We regret to inform you that children under the age of 12 are not allowed to participate in Second Harvest Japan's volunteer activities. In this case, we ask for your understanding that children under 12 years of age are not allowed to participate in volunteer activities, even if they are accompanied by their parents or guardians.

Are there any support activities I can do without going to Second Harvest Japan?

Please consider holding a food drive to collect food in your neighborhood, community, workplace or school as a means of food donation. For more information, please click here.

OtherCorporations / Organizations

FAQ not listed above:
Corporations / Organizations

How can I apply for mass media coverage?

Media inquiries for interviews, etc., should be sent to media@2hj.org.

Can I ask people in line to distribute flyers/information at the location where you are distributing food?

No, we do not provide opportunities to distribute or provide information on any foods other than those we have prepared.

What is Second Harvest Japan's legal status?

Certified Non-Profit Organization

Where are your activities financed from?

We are funded by corporate and individual donations. You can see some of the donors who support our work here.

Are you considering cooperation/new initiatives for 2hj?.

If you have a project or concept you are considering, please use this inquiry form to contact us, specifying "other" in the question type.

OtherIndividuals

FAQ not listed above:
Individuals

Are you willing to be interviewed for research or study purposes? / Do you have questions that you would be willing to answer via email or web form?

We are very sorry, but due to the large number of requests for surveys addressed to our organization for research, publication, presentations, etc., Second Harvest Japan does not have the opportunity to respond/talk to you individually.
Second Harvest Japan is holding information sessions as an opportunity for you to learn more about our activities. The information sessions are an opportunity for us to speak directly to you and to answer any questions you may have.

- Please note that the meeting will not be held in the current month due to circumstances.
- Please note that there is a possibility that the event may not be held in the same month.
- Please note that the information session will be conducted in the form of a webinar.

For media inquiries, please contact media@2hj.org.

What is Second Harvest Japan's legal status?

Certified Non-Profit Organization

Where are your activities financed from?

We are funded by corporate and individual donations. You can see some of the donors who support our work here.

Are you recruiting staff?

If there are any openings in the industry, we will let you know on this page. Please note that we only accept applications from people with working experience.