What you need for a blood donation day

A blood donation day needs more than chairs and refreshments. You need a clear registration point, a comfortable waiting and recovery area, and enough drinks and food for donors after they give blood. This shopping list covers the practical supplies for serving, storing, directing and cleaning during the day. Check quantities against the number of appointments and volunteers before you shop, and arrange borrowed equipment at least one week ahead.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 120
Clothes racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 6
Privacy screensqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Laptop
Printer

Tableware

Mugsqty 80
Glassesqty 120
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving tongsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cool box thermometersqty 2

Decorations

Information boardsqty 6
Directional arrowsqty 10
Tableclothsqty 12
Name badgesqty 40

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 6 liters
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole grain buns - 80 pieces
- Slices of young cheese - 3 kilograms
- Turkey breast - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Bananas - 100 pieces
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Packaged cookies - 120 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Plastic bags - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Printer paper - 2 packs

Tips

Plan two drinks per donor for the recovery period, plus extra for volunteers. Keep bottled water or chilled drinks in cool boxes so they stay available throughout the day.
Allow one serving of food per donor, with at least 10% extra for volunteers and unexpected visitors. Confirm dietary requirements before buying sandwiches or other catering.
Count cups, glasses, plates and cutlery for the full appointment schedule, then add 20% spare capacity. Items often run short when donors arrive close together.
Prepare the registration and information area at least 60 minutes before the first appointment. Keep the laptop, printer, forms, name badges and pens together rather than distributing them across several tables.
Bring at least one waste bin for the catering area and one near the recovery space, plus cleaning cloths and a mop. Spills from coffee, water or food are easier to handle immediately than after the session ends.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a blood donation day?: Buy one food serving and at least two drinks per donor, then add 10% extra for volunteers and late arrivals. For 50 donors, that means 55 food servings and about 110 drinks.
How many cups and plates should I buy for blood donation day?: Allow one cup or glass, one plate and one cutlery set per person using the recovery area, with 20% spare. For 50 donors and 10 volunteers, prepare supplies for at least 72 people.
When should I prepare the blood donation supplies?: Confirm borrowed equipment and catering quantities at least one week before the event. Set up tables, chairs, signage and the registration equipment 60 to 90 minutes before the first donor arrives.
What should I bring for donor registration?: Prepare the laptop, printer, printed forms, information boards and name badges, with at least 10% more forms and badges than the number of appointments. Keep spare extension cables and power strips available before registration opens.

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