I'd check with any food processors in the area. JD gets drums that contained olive or Canola oil for free from Stock Pot Soups.
Some Feed Stores carry drums for dry storage, and you can look in the Yellow Pages under Drums or Barrells for new or reconditioned ones. A Truck shop may have drums that contained hydraulic or tranny fluid-those are usually closed drums, but bearing grease comes in open top drums and you might be able to get a lid with it. You'll definitely wanna burn those out!