Remember that the CHIditarod is a massive Food & Toiletry Drive! And we require our racers to bring at LEAST 69 lbs of food and/or toiletries to the starting line, to be dropped off and weighed in at check-in. SuperFans are required to bring at LEAST 10 lbs of food and/or toiletries. There is an option to also donate the monetary equivalent of $125 if you prefer.
If you are short in the weight of your food (this applies to both art carts & racer teams), you will be required to pay the monetary equivalent. We take the charity part of Chiditarod seriously, and remember when registering you agreed to bring at least 69 lbs per cart or 10 lbs per SuperFan.
Spectators are also welcome to contribute, and encourage you to bring any goods donation to the starting line (Phyllis’s is the only checkpoint with a food collection bin).
Food Donations
Our partners at Nourishing Hope are looking for Labeled, non-expired, and nutritious items that are shelf stable and non-perishable.
No Glass.
The most needed items requested by Nourishing Hope: Canned Fruit (no applesauce, please), Canned Proteins (Tuna, chicken, etc), Pasta, Protein Bars, Peanut butter, Canned Tomatoes/ Tomato Sauce
Toiletry Donations
There is an increased need for toiletries at Nourishing Hopes donation centers. This includes Personal hygiene, bathroom supplies, and cleaning supplies — new and unopened.
Some high need items include Body wash, Shampoo, Maxi Pads (no tampons, please), Diapers Size 2-6, Baby Wipes, Adult Cleansing Wipes (AKA- ‘Wet Ones’)
DISCLAIMER – This information may change before race day.
Early Drop-Off 2026
If you are a super collector for our food and toiletry drive, say more than you can fit in one shopping cart, you have the option to drop off your good early! Teams who are interested in early drop off, must email Greg Nergaard, greg.nergaard@nourishinghopechi.org to schedule a drop off in one of these time slots:
Saturday, February 28 – 10 am to 12pm
Monday, March 2 – 10am to 3pm
Tuesday, March 3 – 8:30am to 5pm
Wednesday, March 4 – 10am to 3pm
Thursday, March 5 – 10am to 3pm
Friday, March 6 – 10am to 1pm
Drop off Location: 1716 W. Hubbard
With the drop off complete, send a picture of your donation total, team name and team # to Chiditarod AND Nourishing Hope (fooddrive@chiditarod.org; greg.nergaard@nourishinghopechi.org).