Food banks can make the most out of cash donations but if you want to donate food, this is what food banks across the country need most:
WHAT FOOD BANKS NEED MOST
(Updated 2020)
- Soups, especially hearty meals like chili or stew
- Canned meat: chicken, tuna, ham, Vienna sausages
- Canned vegetables: potatoes, collard greens, beans, carrots, spinach or peas
- Canned fruit and individual fruit cups
- Spaghetti and marinara sauce
- Rice
- Instant food mixes that only require water: mashed potatoes, biscuit mixes, instant oatmeal
- Shelf stable milk and alternatives (rice, soy, etc.)
- Heat and serve macaroni & cheese
- Healthy cereal
- Peanut butter or other nut butter, especially crunchy
- Pudding (non-refrigerated)
- Pop Tarts
- Spices like cinnamon, oregano, basil, salt, pepper
- Chips and crackers: Cheez-Its, graham crackers, animal crackers, peanut butter or cheese crackers
- Bags of apples or potatoes
- Snack items for kids to take to school: juice boxes, applesauce containers, granola bars
- For infants: formula, infant cereal, diapers, and wipes
- Toiletries: toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo & conditioner, Chapstick
- Feminine hygiene products: unscented pads will be most universally used, not tampons
What Food Banks Cannot Use
- Anything that has to be refrigerated
- Homemade food
- Glass or plastic jars of baby food
- Expired food
- Food without a label
- Food or packaging that’s falling apart or damaged
WHAT I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT FOOD BANKS
- Many food banks and pantries have access to lower cost supplies than you or I do so a cash donation may go further, plus they’re able to get exactly what they need. For example, the Food Bank of Eastern & Central North Carolina reports that a gift of $10 can provide 50 meals!
- A lot of people have diabetes in this group. Consider low-sugar dietary restrictions.
- Some food banks have a recording (or a live person) who will explain their top needs of the moment by phone.
- Cans and boxes are sturdier than bags. By the time families are receiving the food, it’s been handled A LOT and packaging needs to be strong enough to hold up. One food bank said never bring anything in glass, ever.
- Pop-top cans are ideal; particularly for those living on the streets.
- Consider donating reusable sturdy shopping bags. Supplies are heavy plus it takes a lot of humility to come to a food bank. Since they’ll likely be walking home or taking public transportation, it’s nice to at least blend in.
- Think about weekends and school breaks. Kids who qualify for free lunches typically receive breakfast at school too and when schools are out for holidays or summer, these families need more support.
- Many families are in crisis at this time in their lives and food banks often work in tandem with churches or other non-profit programs to get them back on their feet. The Salvation Army in Durham, for example, coordinates with First Baptist Church’s “Jobs for Life” program. Recipients get interview training and in some cases, a ride to the mall where they’re coached on asking for job applications.
- There’s a difference difference between a food bank and a food pantry*. But for the sake of simplicity, we’ve referred to “food banks” here as a catch-all for all canned food drives and ANY group’s efforts to bring non-perishable items to those in need. If you’d like to connect with a food pantry, which is able to collect fresh fruits, vegetables, even homemade goods and more, Ample Harvest will point you toward a food pantry near you.
These are the top priorities for the food banks I spoke with in my area. But there are still plenty of other things to give–and keep in mind what’s needed here might vary from your area, and definitely from season to season.
What have you given that’s gone over well? Please add your suggestions below.
More ideas on giving food…
Our local food bank says no glass jars. In addition to low sugar, consider low sodium foods. Many recipients are elderly and need to watch the amount of sodium they eat.
Great points, Debbie. As I was on the phone with the food bank workers yesterday we kept running into this issue with low sodium (and even low sugar) foods–that canned and packaged goods are often so high in both. Wish there was a way to get more fresh food to these families in need but in the meantime, thanks for mentioning these two things.
The Bucks County Opportunity Council in PA has some great partnerships that help us get more fresh produce into food pantries. If you want to learn more give them a call.
I’d like to learn more about how you provide fresh and healthier produce to food banks. Our community garden program has developed Share a Square, but much of what we drop off is not selected by the patrons of our food pantry and goes to waste. We think some may be unsure how to prepare fresh food or how to preserve it for later use. We’d like to start a mentoring process, including inviting those who need the food pantry to possibly garden with us, growing some of their own food, but have no clue how we might begin to make this happen. Any advice and wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks.
Barb, so would I! I’m going to work on this and write another post. Thanks for mentioning it.
Barb, I spent a while as an urban gardener working with food pantries (especially churches with gardens *and* food pantries).
As far as providing fresh veggies to food banks: I’d say my biggest tip is to understand the “cooking culture” of the communities where the food bank is (and the population that’s coming there). I was in North Florida, and one of our food banks had lots of patrons who had homes and kitchens, but ran out of money for food. They loved collard and mustard greens (it was the south!) but had no idea what to do with, say, chard; so, chard or kale would rot in the fridge of a food pantry, while more familiar greens would go quickly.
It’s also always better to ask than to do guesswork; what if one of your gardeners spent a day at the food pantry asking folks what sorts of vegetables they would use if they had them? (A church garden I know changed from growing diversified things to donate–sugar snap peas, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, radishes, etc–to growing exclusively collards, based on what the community wanted, and they’ve had great success). Basically, pay attention to who is coming to the food bank (this will differ from block to block–think about different immigrant communities, cultural backgrounds, etc etc).
In a word: ask what people want, and then grow it!
Yes! I agree with Lindsay. I just did a quick phone interview with a food pantry in Durham, NC and he said “familiar southern cooking staples” like collard greens, mustard greens and root veggies will always be a hit. Kale might be a new experience for some, and that’s okay, but not as easily enjoyed with a recipe the recipient might already have. More to come… Great points!
See if your State Agricultural Extension Service could set up classes at the Food Pantries on how to cook fresh vegetables for the clients. Another problem may be that since they have not used fresh vegs in the past, their families may not like fresh. I know the kids at school who were on free lunch through away fresh fruit and vegetable daily. Our Food Pantry in Albuquerque does the Extension Service does the free classes all the time. You can reach them through the County Extension Service. 4-H members may want to take it on as a project also.
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard is an amazing model of how to get fresh produce into the hands of those down on their luck. They do gardening, cooking education and patron choice selection of food at the pantry (http://mhcfoodpantry.org/what-we-do/food-pantry/) . You might check them out to get some ideas.
The Greater Newark Conservancy in Newark, NJ has some great programs which introduce community members to gardening and how to utilize the produce that they grow. They also sell at local farmer’s markets and offer classes on how to utilize the local produce. It’s a wonderful place running fabulous programs that really help people. My 8 year old and I volunteered there one day this past summer (at her request). We did some weeding, mulching, planting and harvesting. Great all around. http://citybloom.org/index.htm
If you are really concerned about low income families getting better food, then why not get some names from the food bank so that you can help some families directly.? I am a single mom that relies on food banks several times a year and they never help with things that I really need or want. I would be more than happy if my local food bank gave my name to someone like you that really wanted to help. Don’t take this the wrong way, we do eat what they give us, but it is never a full meal.
We do use the foodbanks in our area every month & also go to a cooking class through WSU extension project whic does cooking demo’s & hands out samples 4 the food cooked 4 that day & gives recipies & explaines how to cook them & how to use the food given. Also they partner w/ the 2nd Harvest Food Bank & they give us food also 4 comming to the class. It meets 2x a month along w/ going to the food bank it really helps. We r really blessd @ our fb because Trader Joe’s is right next door to where our church & food bank is & they donate lots of food & that helps alot. We get to try alot of different foods normally we could never afford. It sure is a treat to get their goodies.
When I lived in Washington State, we would fish for a tiny fish called smelt. They were easy to net and we always got our limit! Unfortunately our limit was too much for our family. I contacted the local food bank, explained to them how we froze it in the seawater, whole. I asked if they could give such a product away. They said yes, as long as it was dated and frozen within the first 24 hours after catching it. We gave them 30 pounds of fish every couple of days and were told that none of it was left at the end of the day. They were only open 1 day a week!
Here in Idaho, we have avid hunters that donate a portion of their ‘kill’ every season and the patrons LOVE it! I also have a garden and donate fresh produce like cucumbers, carrots, beans and potatoes.
It’s a wonderful way to help out those in the community that need a little support! We’ve been in that foodbank line ourselves, so we know just how important it can be.
Hi Mindy! I’m from Washington state originally and I know all about smelt. Love that you have been able to contribute fresh meat this way. Thanks for the inspiration.
Often times I think folks do not choose fresh produce because they are not sure what to do with it. Why not print a few easy to make, low ingredient recipes to go with the produce? That might help.
Amy, I love this idea so much. It’s something that I want to work on this winter. More details to come soon and thanks for the inspiration!
Perhaps you could check if there is a branch of “Cooking Matters” in your area–they do supermarket trips and show people how to spend their food dollars in the most nutritious ways, and offer cooking classes to teach people how to make use of the things they have purchased without depending so much on processed foods.
Joan, THANK YOU for that tip. I’m going to look up “Cooking Matters” right now!
What I have found really helpful is that at our foodbank, the director is a farmer and so he is always sharing creative ways to use the many different more readily available vegetables and coming up with new ones to creatively use beets, squash, etc.
At the pantry I run we receive wonderful produce from a church group that grows at the town community garden. It all goes quickly. It does help to have an explanation of what to do with some of it. We have someone giving out the produce who will share the explanations with clients.
In our area we have a high Hispanic population, so corn, beans, onions, tomatoes and all types of peppers go the quickest. Also staples like apples, carrots, rice and bread. Often the foodbank gets donations from grocery stores. But in many cases there are boxed foods that require either meat, milk or eggs or a combination of these that the foodbank doesn’t have onhand to give out along with these things. One might want to consider donating such things as canned evaporated milk and eggs or eggbeaters as well as frozen hamburger meat. But check with your local foodbank first to make sure they can store refrigerated and frozen foods there.
Is there any way to print off simple recipe or preparation cards and have them handy with the items?
Hi Wendy — You can certainly print off simple recipe ideas or even cards and tape them to your items! Great idea and something I’d been meaning to do myself! I’ll try to set up a few ideas for doing just that right here.
Our food bank also LOVES money!!! For every $5 donated they can purchase $15 of needed groceries, etc! They have a contract with a supplier for this arrangement!
It makes that $50 donation $150! And the food bank buys what is most needed!!
All awesome ideas!! Thanks!
Also, if you are someone who doesn’t need or really want anything for Christmas (yes, some of us are blessed) ask your children, grandchildren, etc. to donate to a food bank in your name.
Our family is very blessed as well, but I make it point to have the kids give some of their toys to the homeless:$
I’ve done this for a number of years in the name of relatives and friends. I am among the blessed (as are they) so this gesture is what satisfies and soothes us when so many of our neighbors are in need. Hunger should be universal “no-no!!”
Yep, this is what I learned when I worked for a food bank as well. They are happy to take actual food but with the money you spent on the food, they could buy even more food since there are special commodity programs for food banks, etc. where they can get ultra cheap canned goods, etc. I usually don’t participate in can drives but give money directly instead.
I agree. Our regional food bank does a fantastic job of using the money that we contribute through commodity programs and bulk buying. We give food to our church’s food program which doesn’t have the size to use these advantages, but the larger food bank needs MONEY.
Yes, money is what is needed, but I also put things in the donation basket at our public library for the simple reason that it is visible and reminds people in our very affluent community that not everyone has enough to eat. Also, I’ve been told by the head of the local food pantry that people donate things that they can’t justify spending money on, like cake mix (for a kid’s birthday) or an unusual flavor of jam (don’t you think you’d get tired of strawberry all the time?) I go to Costco and buy items that have two or more packages, and donate whatever we won’t use within a month. I also buy tampons (which are expensive, and which some girls prefer to pads) because there are girls who have to skip school, or wear pads or tampons longer than they should (increasing the risk of toxic shock syndrome), because their families would have to choose between food and pads/tampons. Don’t think it doesn’t happen.
Dried fruit is helpful for low-sugar..
Be careful. Most dried fruit has added sugar, except for raisins. Not good for diabetics.
True, Mattie. Though prunes and figs are typically also good sources of fruit without sugar added. And we love the “reduced sugar” dried cranberries around our house so I think those are a nice option as well.
gift certificates to the local grocery stores can help
Our local food bank in Ohio says that they accept gift cards to local grocery stores to buy fresh meat and veggies.
In addition to 1 box a month, they now allow you to get WEEKLY produce at our local food bank. It helps people out a ton
Having recently read about the huge amount of food thrown away daily it occurs to me that possibly partnering with a family (or families) in need would be a great way to share fresh food. I have thrown out meat that I forgot to freeze and was unable to cook prior to pull date. Is partnering through food banks possible?
where I live the grocery stores have coupons a person can buy ( $2, $5. $10, or $20 ) the stores then use these to give fresh foods to the food banks when needed, fruit, vegies, bread, milk, meat etc. I think it works really well. Maybe someone in your neighbourhood could start something like this?
What is the general opinion about gift cards to someplace like Boston Market where a hearty hot meal can be purchased, and might give a family a dinner out that they might not have had in a while? I’ve often thought about dropping a few in the box or even gift cards to local grocery stores but didn’t know how they would go over. Also wonder (depending on the charity) if they will actually be distributed or if one of the sorters might pocket them.
That’s a very considerate idea, but I would avoid leaving a gift card in a food bank donation bag. I volunteered for a year out of choice, but many volunteers are there because they have no choice: they have to do community service after committing a crime, or to fulfil a volunteer requirement for their education. Things can get pocketed by people who are unscrupulous. I’d phone a community org or even a school, and ask if they can pass your gift on to a family in need. Higher likelihood of your gift reaching its intended recipient.
Most churches will gladly accept gift cards. They are useful for a number of things. Our deacons get MANY requests for help to buy gas, diapers, & other things which can not be purchased with food stamps. Walmart cards, Safeway cards etc are very helpful for churches to give out. They are usually administered only by church leaders so it is a way to be sure they go to those in need.
Too many times Walmart or Safeway cards go to buy alcohol, cigarettes or gift cards for movies. I prefer to give food. The food bank usually runs short of vegetable oil and it flies off the shelves. Don’t forget items like toothpaste or deodorant. Our food bank prefers not to receive so many condensed soups like cream of celery or cream of mushroom. They like progresso or chunky ready to eat soup. Besides too many green beans, they also get way too much canned pumpkin. They can’t give it away!
I agree with the idea of taking gift cards to schools. I am a high school teacher, and at Thanksgiving and Christmas we make gift baskets for a few needy families from our school, and we always include gift cards as part of the basket. I know that many schools would appreciate the donation!
In re. “many volunteers are there because they have no choice: they have to do community service after committing a crime” — wow! I had to get a police background check (an ‘enhanced’ one, because of the ‘vulnerable sector’ issue — children and elderly) for my stint volunteering at a food bank.
They really vary from place to place, I think.
I have seen the recipients of those cards in the parking lot of the stores trying to sell them. Better to give the money to the social service organizations that actually provide food or assistance.
While there will always be people that abuse or wrongly use items given to them, that does not mean that it should not be done. Try not to let your bad experience turn you into a cynic.
How might one “abuse or wrongly use items given to them?” And what is the concern about a recipient selling the cards for cash? The whole idea of giving food bank clients cash or grocery cards is to give them more freedom in making their own decisions about their resources rather than trying to control them or giving them canned beans when they want their children to have fresh food or pasta when they are more accustomed to rice.
What a great idea, to give gift cards for a restaurant. When I was sick my kids went four years without ever going into a restaurant. I felt like such a failure. I would have loved to take my kids somewhere nice. Especially to celebrate their birthday or a holiday. Those are memories that were never made because we were so poor.
Don’t beat yourself up over being poor! I assure you that your children formed many good family memories, despite not having restaurant meals. Ask them, and I’ll be you’ll be surprised what they remember fondly from those days. God bless you!
I don’t know that a restaurant meal is really cost-effective or what is needed. Many restaurants will turn away dirty/ragged people. Gift cards can always be sold for money (to purchase things you might not intend for the money to be used for). Better if you want to do something like that to arrange with a shelter to have its evening meal catered by a local restaurant one day. You’d probably get more food for your dollar that way, and people wouldn’t have to be ashamed to go into the restaurant. Or you could just donate that money directly to the food bank. They have arrangements with local grocers and wholesalers that get them about 2-3x as much food for a dollar as you can get.
“Many restaurants will turn away dirty/ragged people” What a horrible stereotype! There are many, many foodbank patrons that are NOT dirty or ragged! and if there are, I’m sure it’s not by choice! Noone said the restaurant cards had to be to a 5 star place anyway! How about Dennys or Taco Bell? Or the local pancake house? I think it’s a great idea and should be practiced more! It’s a thoughtful gesture that may just be what a single Mom or Dad needs to make a child’s birthday or holiday special, or maybe if they’re married it would be a nice night out on their anniversary!
There will always be the few who will misuse a gift, but to give freely without worry is what makes most of us feel good about giving!
Interesting that you are assuming that food bank clients are dirty/ragged people. Also, when my church hosted a free community meal versus a restaurant or grocery store the guests appreciated the home cooking and it was far healthier. But of course, it depends on the restaurant.
I worked in a food bank in S.C. Gift cards for local grocery stores are great. But they don’t actually give the gift cards to the hungry. The food bank will actually use them to buy items that are in the most need at the food bank. So gift cards are always welcome. But the gift cards to local restaurants, not a good idea for a food bank. That can create problems for a food bank. Cause when word get’s out that the have gift cards for local restaurants, then that will bring people in just to get the gift cards. And others may not have a way to get to a restaurant and/or not fit their dietary restrictions.
Our local food pantry can only store non-perishable items. They take cash donations to buy gift cards to the grocery store and give them out to the people receiving food. Its not much though, only about $10 per person.
Ask the food bank or pantry what they’d prefer. Some of them give out gift cards at the holidays; but if you are spending cash on them, I’d point out that, as noted above, the food pantry/bank can stretch their dollars further. There is the risk of the cards being stolen, too.
SPEAKING FOR MY GROUP, WHO DOES CHARITY WORK, WE ARE IN GREAT NEED FOR THINGS FOOD STAMPS DOES NOT BUY, SOAP,SHAMPOO,BABY ITEMS, LAUNDRY SOAP, TOILET PAPER. ALSO AT THIS TIME OF YEAR WE NEED TOYS, FOR ALL AGES, AND TOYS FOR “SPECIAL NEEDS” CHILDREN. WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR OLDER CHILDREN. AT THIS TIME ALL IS NEEDED AT EVERY LEVEL OF CHARITY, HOLIDAYS ARE OUR BIGGEST TASK OF THE YEAR, WE TRY VERY HARD TO GIVE CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE IN NEED, NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES.
When giving Christmas Gifts I prefer not to give gifts that require batteries. If someone can’t afford gifts, they probably cannot afford the batteries that go with them. If you do give gift that require batteries, make sure you include at least one set of batteries (preferably more than one set).
As a senior citizen that uses the food bank in my area I find toilet paper, paper towels and laundry soap some of the most welcome things when they get donated. Being diabetic the sugar free canned fruit is always welcomed. Always consider bags of beans to cook. I cook the whole bag when I get pinto beans (I make Southern ‘soup beans’ with them) and freeze leftovers for later.
And please use common sense when buying anything to donate. Some generic brands are not fit to feed a dog and some are great! Just ask yourself, “would I feed this to my family or eat it myself?” A smaller donation of a quality product (maybe on sale, several at a lower price?) is more likely to be used than a larger donation of something that may not be eaten.
Thank you for all who help! I donate time through my church and have done food baskets at the holidays for many years.
Great ideas, Linda! A little common sense always goes a long way. It’s so easy to forget that real people are on the receiving end of these items.
I agree that a lot of people don’t really think about what they are donating. Why give someone a box of Hamburger Helper when they can’t afford the hamburger to put in it?!? Or a brownie mix when they don’t have the eggs or oil that is needed? If you donate, please make sure that it is a complete food (i.e. canned soup, chili, stew etc. or something that is easily opened if they don’t have a can opener. Think about diapers, Depends, toilet paper and all that). My children and I have spent many hours working at our local Food Bank — check expiration dates! Don’t send a package of juice boxes if the date is not marked on each box. They will not be able to divide them for more than one family if this is not the case. As someone else mentioned, don’t send things you would not feed your own family.
Excellent point, Linda; don’t donate anything you wouldn’t feed your own family. If it isn’t fit to give to them, it isn’t fit to feed anyone.
I’ve worked sorting food at the local food bank, and while the low-quality stuff does get distributed, the out-of-date stuff gets thrown away. There is a chart of how long past the pull date things are still safe to use, but the time is short: two months for salad dressing, for example. No only is worker time wasted in winnowing out the unusable stuff, but the food bank has to pay tipping fees to the garbage companies to haul it away. So don’t give them the old jam, the expired cans of sardines, or whatever else you found in Great-Aunt Daisy’s pantry when she died. Throw it away. And don’t give them that package of chocolate pasta (I’m not making this up) that was part of that “gourmet” gift basket you won in a raffle; if you won’t eat it, why would you expect anyone else to?
In short, respect the dignity of other people, especially those down on their luck. That could easily have been you. It might yet be.
Our local food pantry has a pig farmer who picks up all the expireds. Please ask your local pantry if they can accept expireds. At our house, we eat the recently expired stuff.
If you travel, keep the little shampoos, soaps, etc. the hotel/motel gives you. These can be donated in food bags OR given to shelters so that residents can have their own stash. It literally costs you nothing extra and it’s so helpful. Most of us probably have a bag of these somewhere in the closet that we’re never going to use..
So true, I do the exact same thing. I save from trips, all the little extras like shampoos, lotions, etc. My trips to the dentist (x5 family members) yields little toothpaste samples and floss. A few extras and poof, you have a travel kit for the weary traveler!.
What a great idea! I travel a LOT for work and have a bag full of soaps and shampoos sitting in my house not getting used. I finally forced myself to stop collecting them because I felt I was just wasting them. I wish I would have thought of this idea sooner!
Keep collecting the toiletries from the hotels. I collect them for a year and then donate them at back to school time with a new backpack to a battered women’s shelter. I recently found backpacks that were plain solid color canvas for $5. I donated two and saved one for this year. Whenever I get a deal on school supplies, I add it for next August. I do something similar for Xmas. I picked up some nail polish at a huge discount, costing me only a dollar for 8 small bottles. I can donate this and it can make someone feel special.
Kathy, you are such a great planner! I love all of these ideas. Thanks so much for sharing.
A friend of mine who is a public health nurse was able to get some of the hotels serving her community to donate cases of travel-sized products. Definitely worth making a few phone calls if you know of a food bank or shelter that might have a use for them.
One thing that can cut the sodium in canned soups and make them go farther, is additional pasta or rice or potatoes or beans (depending on the type of soup). I always make a can of soup into a casserole with additions, which not only creates more servings but cuts the sodium per serving. This also works for packaged meals, frozen or dried.
So smart, JJ. Thanks for this!
What a great idea!! I just had a heart attack and reducing sodium is top on my list. When I check cans of soup, the sodium is always so high – never thought of doing this!! Thanks for posting!
I have been in a helping role with persons who need assistance in several different areas in the country so please accept my comments as helpful, not critical. Some of the suggested foods would most likely not be welcome and not something familiar to their palates , much less their knowledge about how to cook, i.e. quinoa, couscous. Many persons, especially children, do not prefer whole wheat pasta or raisin bran. Gift cards to Boston Market (only one in the city where I live, and it’s in the higher income area, requiring driving and gas expense). Canned soups are terribly high in sodium – even the so-called healthy versions but children still love chicken noodle, etc. I’m a retired nurse and I was 67 years old and a volunteer in South America before I had even heard of quinoa. I don’t know how to cook it but plan to learn. I agree with those of you that food isn’t suddenly unsafe the day – or month – past the expiration date. I cannot afford organic and the money you spend on organic could purchase even more. These are people who are possibly hungry and one or two gift baskets of organic won’t affect their health, even though organic is a healthy concept and very desirable.
You are right, Garnett, that many people won’t know how to cook quinoa. But some do. In the current economy, there are a lot of people going to food pantries who haven’t been in need before, and a lot of them have sophisticated tastes and abilities. I try to buy for the food pantry with the assumption that other people will donate the white rice, the white pasta, the Kraft Mac’n’Cheez; I’ll get the same high-quality, tasty food that I serve my own family, keeping in mind that things that are quick to cook (like mixes or prepared foods) make life easier for people who might not have the time, energy or resources to cook from scratch.
Quinoa is very simple- you make it exactly like rice. And there are instructions on the container. It’s sad that you don’t think those receiving it are capable of reading instructions and following them. It’s a good alternative for those that may be looking for a change of pace from plain white/brown rice and it is more nutritious. Just because you aren’t familiar with it doesn’t mean that no one should buy it. And while I agree on the expiration dates, those are the rules they are required to follow by law. Don’t give things they legally have to throw away.
Butter and eggs! Most of these places have a refrigerated section now, and when you are low on money, butter and eggs can come in so handy!
I’d like to add to that. Please consider those with food allergies as well. As a mom of a child with multiple life threatening food allergies, I can tell you, you’d be shocked at where you find food allergens. Please donate items that are peanut free, or free of one or more of the eight most common food allergies. Milk, egg, wheat, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and soy. Some great examples to donate are, WOW butter, a peanut and tree nut free soy based peanut butter replacement. SunButter. A sunflower based peanut/ tree nut free pb replacement. For canned foods, read labels through. You’d be surprised where you find “may contain peanut” or one of the other major food allergens. When reading labels for food allergens, avoid “may contain,…processed in the same facility as…processed on the same machinery as,….and contains.” You don’t have to avoid all 8 major food allergens when looking for foods to donate, but pick at least one to avoid. Maybe peanuts, maybe milk,…maybe egg… There are a lot of special safe treats in natural sections of most stores as well. Enjoy Life brands are free of the top food allergens and offer great treats for kiddos to safely enjoy. God bless!!!
Don’t give food that is expired or about to expire in a couple of months. It isn’t always made available to someone in need right away. If you won’t eat it or serve it to your loved ones, don’t give it away. Shampoo, body wash, dish soap, laundry soap, sandwich baggies or wax paper, toilet paper, personal care items. Non-edibles are things that can’t be gotten on food stamps, but are things needed. Coffee, tea, pure juices (not sugar sweetened flavored water), and refrigerated items are really a treat. The ingredients that actually make a meal. Some of the food banks are so short in food that they limit what people get.
It’s not just the elderly who get heart disease. Anyone, any age can have it, and so many foods are packed with sodium. The reduced/low sodium cost just as much many times, and those who are not on a low sodium diet can eat them as well…so low sodium is a great choice to donate!
As a home health nurse in central Arkansas, I see a need for foods low in sugar and sodium to accommodate my diabetic and my congestive heart failure patients. I always stress that fresh foods are best; but these are the most expensive and perishable foods that are not usually carried at the food banks.Most people are not aware that chicken noodle soup contains around 900 mg of sodium in a half cup serving. There are 2.5 servings in one can of soup! The American Heart Association recommends 2000 mg in a 24 hour period.The diabetic patients are given boxes of food high in carbohydrates such as boxed pastas and cereals. We appreciate our local food bank so much, and I have spoken with Rhonda Sanders, the Director at the Arkansas Food Bank regarding the issues. Please continue to give generously to your local food banks and try to think of new ways to be a part of this wonderful service…
T
s
Terry, point well taken. The problem, as I see it, is that most easy-to-cook, fast-to-prepare foods are high in sodium and/or sugar. If you are cooking from scratch, you can control these things better — but will your clients be able to do that? Actually, fresh vegetables and fruits are cheaper than canned, but the storage is a problem for food pantries which don’t have the refrigerator space for them. I’m wondering what the best solution is.
Although it is certainly kind to be considering middle-class needs and health values like low sugar, please be aware of other needs. When we have been forced to food pantries, we needed the highest calorie items we could find. Growing kids need calories, too. When you only get enough food for maybe three days at a food pantry, you need a lot off calories as well as nutrition. It’s great to think of the diabetic, but they aren’t the only ones there.
Tuna? I’d like our local food pantries to have too much of that. I’ve never received any kind of canned meat from a food pantry. Tuna would be so welcome, but it is so expensive, people don’t give it away anymore.
You may think it wrong, but many who need to show up at a food pantry also have a pet. Dog or cat food would be most welcome. You love your pets like members of the family, so do the poor.
Chris, I’m sorry that you need to go to the food pantry, and that they aren’t meeting your needs. I’m shocked that you don’t get tuna or enough calories for your growing kids. I wish I could help you out personally.
And I don’t see anything wrong with you having and loving your pets. I have pets who I love, and I sympathize. Our food pantry actually does collect pet food to distribute — not enough, but something.
Thanks for your efforts to educate folks about food pantries. Unfortunately, items the pantries need is more regional. Our pantry doesn’t receive many donations of pineapple and I can’t keep it on the shelves. We have WAY more rice than we ever could use. Our guests prefer the packages with everything included. I suspect that they don’t have the ‘extra’ ingredients needed to make main dishes with rice or dried beans.
Thank you for adding the tip about sodium. My dad has congestive heart failure and really needs to watch his sodium intake. He can buy a lot of his own food, but having a food bank stretches his social security and pension. He lives far away, and we’re going to visit him. I plan to take him a care package of low sodium foods I think he’ll like.
Ive had to use food pantries before, they were a life saver. I used anything and everything they gave us. I cannot wait until im in a position to donate back.
I use our local food bank twice a month and would use it more often, but you are only allowed to go there twice a month. What I usually get is expired milk, expired and or rancid butter, moldy bread, and produce that is on the verge of Rot. I have no idea what to do with all of the refried beans and pinto beans that they give me that is not something that is in our normal diet and I have no idea what to do with them. That pretty much leaves me with rice and pasta, but I don’t know what to do with rice or pasta if there’s no meat to go with it. It would be great to have produce that is not at the verge of rotting although I am grateful to have anything at all. canned meat would be a wonderful addition as Wed other healthier canned food. The sodium sugar and fat content of the cans of stew and chili I get from our local food bank are so high that my doctor told me to absolutely not eat it. though I am grateful for the little bit of food I am able to get from them it really does a number on your self esteem and your self worth when you go to get help and you were given moldy rotting expired food.
I’m sorry to hear you have also received expired items from your food bank. It’s a problem here too. Having 3 small kids and being immuno-compromised from chemo I can’t risk eating or feeding expired food to my family. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. In some areas the poor really are treated worse than animals. But you and I are both valuable human beings who just happen to be poor as well and we deserve the same dignity as anybody else. And to those who have food pantries who have non-food items, you have no idea how lucky you are. I have never heard of any food pantries here that distribute non-food items unless you can prove you are homeless.
Please send more fresh produce or frozen, no one that I know likes canned veggies! No low salt or low sugar items, we’d rather have regular food and just have less of it. Regular milk, more nutritious for bones, and kids! More coffee, tea and creamer…..we are only human!
Good list, good suggestions. It is now Dec. 2020. Many are hungry and demand for food continues to grow. There is no produce being donated from farmers.
Consider buying Hunt’s pasta sauce because it comes in a can (many other brands come in glass jars). Hunt’s is not low sodium, but remember that in a food insecure household, a small amount of sauce will go over a large amount of cooked pasta. The total salt is minimal.
Most Jiffy muffin and bread mixes only require water; more expensive brands usually require expensive additions.
For older reader, baby food now comes in pouches and “cups”. Both can be donated.
Some say not to donate Spam because of high sodium/fat. Please consider that those who cook meals can use small amounts of this ham-product as a flavoring agent in large pots of cooked dried beans. Similarly, small amounts of Spam can be added to scrambled eggs, a casserole, etc. Trust the home cook to know what works.
Consider buying cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup to enable home cooks to produce casseroles. (A 16 oz. can of chicken is a wonderful donation, but it alone does not feed a family of four. A chicken casserole is a filling dinner.)
High sodium soups are not healthy, but a home cook in a food insecure household may very well “extend” that can of (let’s say vegetable) soup by adding beans, extra vegetables, more pasta, etc. The final product on the table will be much lower in salt than the donated can of soup.
Donate spices. Many grocery stores sell dollar spices such as Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, chili powder, chopped onions, cinnamon, black pepper, red pepper, etc . Food insecure households do not have these, and you can spice up their lives.
Healthy eating is great, but also consider the mood of the kids in families. I’ve seen the face of food insecure kids light up at the prospect of a cup of hot chocolate. The same kids are joyous at the thought of grape jelly to go with their peanut butter. Providing pancake mix (made with water) and a jug of syrup for a home cook to turn into a meal can bring a big smile to a child’s face. Do not donate candy, but bringing a little sweetness to a child’s life can be a good thing.
thank you for this information. I was curious to know why boxed foods where preferred to those in plastic bags; it’s the constant handling of weak packaging.
I will pass this information along to the members of several local organizations that regularly have food drives.
Sounds great, Michelle! Thanks!
I was on the receiving line of a smashed jar of applesauce, so it’s the handling for sure that is why plastic is required.
I operate a local food pantry. I disagree about getting rice etc. in boxes vs. plastic bags. Usually the boxes get very crushed and mashed in donation bins and look awful. Some brands do not have all of the products wrapped inside the boxes and so the item is not useable. Bags usually don’t give us any problem and always have a better appearance. I do agree with so much else that was written. Many of our clients are retired elderly trying to make it on just Social Security. Their dietary needs do include diabetic friendly and low-sodium items. Also, one of my pet peeves is food items that are totally outdated being donated. If it is questionable for you to eat, don’t think that it’s good enough for someone coming to a pantry. It could be your Mom or Dad needing groceries to make it to the end of the month. Give what you would want to receive. ^-^
I know many food banks refuse canned food past the “best by” dates. Here is a very informative article on that practice http://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/busting-the-canned-food-expiration-date-myth/
Our food bank takes expired canned foods because they say they’re still good for a few years.
As aa person with diabetes LOW Carb is needed. Sugar free can be useful. But low carb is absolutely necessary.
I used to work at a day service shelter. We had a food pantry as well. Often, we would receive cast offs not stable goods. For example, a half full box of Quick Oats, or a partially used bottle of shampoo. Remember that what is needed is not old degraded stuff that you would not use, but things you would serve to your own family. It doesn’t have to be the top brand on the market, but new and unused is important. We are talking about folks who already feel bad about their circumstances. Then to be told, essentially, you aren’t worth my effort, is just disrespectful. I am so grateful for this post and the very good tips and suggestions given. Now we can all go out and begin offering things that are good for everyone to live and thrive and feel valued.
LOVE.
Wow, Connie. I’m so glad you mentioned this. Like donating clothes to the Good Will (or anything else really) it’s so easy to lose sight of the fact that these are gifts so let’s give the same way we do for someone we love. Great reminder.
I recently took clothing to our local career centre. Many who would like to go to job interviews don’t have the clothes to look the part. I took in a couple of really nice suits, several dress shirts and some ties. They were overjoyed.I
I have a question about opened shampoo. I have a container of rather nice shampoo that I bought but that didn’t work for my hair. It’s still almost full. I haven’t donated it yet because I’m not sure if it would be rude. Thoughts?
Hi Katharine — That’s not a good donation because it will likely spill, and even though it’s high quality I do think it’ll be seen as a cast-off. Better to send new stuff, even if it’s less expensive. Do go through your cabinets though because things like new, unopened hotel samples are ideal!
Personally, I wouldn’t mind getting a nice bottle of shampoo for free. Even if it had a bit gone off the top. It’d be better to me than a full bottle of a cheap brand.
Katherine, there are many needy people that get by going through Craigslist and Freecycle for household items. I would post it there and I’m sure you’d make someone very happy!
Don’t forget craigslist! With the free section of craigslist, you can post EXACTLY what you are donating (pictures taken on your phone are always nice) and someone will come pick it up and appreciate it. There is a lot of technologically savvy mid-level poor… think about twentysomethings trying to finish college while working, families with their first baby. They probably have phones and internet and check the free section of craigslist all the time! That doesn’t mean they can afford to make ends meet. As one of those working poor people who’s always been approximately at the poverty line because minimum wage retail and restaurant jobs only go so far, I’ve recieved great things through the free section of craigslist and I never throw things like a half-empty bottle of shampoo away, I list it – someone else will be grateful!
Don’t throw out those part filled large bottles of hair care….use them to top up the smaller hotel type products so that the receiver receives a full bottle instead of leftover…it doesn’t matter if it is the same brand, it will mix together.
Also make sure foods donated are not expired or very close to expiration date… food banks shouldn’t give out expired foods, and if they do, the families may get ill from eating bad food… many don’t have or cant afford health care.
Great point, Angel. The idea isn’t cleaning out your pantry. It’s getting fresh stuff for people in need.
When volunteering at my local, very reputable food bank, I learned that they do distribute certain categories of food beyond the stamped dates. Apparently the dates are designed to be extremely conservative and many grocery stores donate massive amounts of food that they can no longer sell, but that is known to be still safe. So I would check your local bank’s policy on this- the impression I got is that they are very concerned with safety, but also not with wasting perfectly good food.
Good idea to check, Sarah. At home I’m not particularly conservative with these dates because I feel the same way about wasting food that’s clearly not bad yet.
I’m also a retired navy spouse and while stationed overseas there would be some things that went beyond their originally stamped expiration date but the health dept on base was able to “re certify” the food so it could be sold. But yes, I definitely donate unexpired items…. You can always buy in bulk with the intention of donating some 😉
When we receive outdated items, I offer them to our guests from a separate table with a sign that says “Expired dates but still good!”(The USDA has guidelines on how long things are still good). I don’t want the guests to think we’d offer items that are old unless they realize what they are receiving. Out of date items are given in addition to the regular food. Please don’t donate things your own family would like to eat!
We can’t give out food past its expiration date at our food pantry however we are able to take food up to be year past the expiration date for another organization that cooks and provides meals. However we frequently receive the opened, half used item as well as some goods that are way past their prime. Last food drive we received many items with expiration dates older than 2008! Anything older than Dec 2013we just have to throw out.
When my three year old tells me, “Baba, I hungry” my pride goes out the window. You have a bag of rice two months past the sell-by date? Thank you, I’ll be grateful. When I was in another place in life, I looked for the freshest food on the shelf, but I still knew that sell-by dates are just marketing ploys to keep the merchandise turning as fast as possible. Too many people empty their cabinets if their canned ravioli is a day past the sell-by date, as if ptomaine had just entered the can overnight. That’s how stores sell merchandise. That hole in the cabinet has to be filled with another can.
If there’s food in your cabinet that long, you probably don’t need it, won’t eat it anyway. Why not donate it to someone?
Rice, or any other uncooked grain, doesn’t have an expiry date as long as it is kept dry. It is not age but contamination that renders canned and packaged food unsafe
I responded to this saying that many reputable food banks do work with local grocers to distribute food that is past-dates and still safe and tasty, and it didn’t make it through moderation- I want to make it clear that I’m not advocating people donating things they wouldn’t eat; just explaining why a reputable food bank might work with past-dates food. I know my local one is very concerned with safety and wouldn’t distribute anything they didn’t know to be safe. Check out the acceptable-dates sign on this blog post: http://momofftrack.com/2011/12/4340/
Plus…. there is a definite difference between “sell by” and “use by” dates. Milk may have a sell by date of the 15th, but still be just fine to use and drink till the 1st of the next month. When it comes to vitamins and drugs, there is a huge leeway in the “expiration” date. The FDA rule is that ONE YEAR after the expiration date, the vitamin or drug must STILL BE 90% potent. Food has no where near as long a shelf life after “expiration,” “sell by,” or “use by” dates; nevertheless, there is still great leeway in these dates, and they are nothing to panic about. You’re not eating “bad food” if the stamped date is a week old.
I help out every week in my church’s food pantry. I want to second the plea to check the dates on the items you donate. We often get items that are more than two years over the date. I remember once someone donated a jar of jelly from 1987! We are not allowed tomgive out any food past the date due to legal issues that might come up if someone became ill. However, we do give that food (if it is less than six months over the date) to a larger regional center that gives out food. They place those items in a seperate bin with a sign explaining that the food is over the date and they can take it knowing the risks involved.
Please read this link on “expired” food. It’s very informative: http://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/busting-the-canned-food-expiration-date-myth/
Most “expiration dates” on food have no real basis in reality. I have canned goods that I still eat, that “expired” two years ago. Search the web or call your local investigative reporter and you will probably find the same thing. Dried Pasta has an expiration date…why? If it’s kept in a dry storage area it will last for years. Canned goods, for the longest time didn’t even have expiration dates.
Expiration dates on food are a relatively new thing, and most are completely arbitrary. Canned foods are safe for years. Most boxed cereals, crackers, etc, are good for months past the Best By date if not opened. Milk is good for 7-10 days after the Sell By date if kept cold. If the product says USE OR DISCARD BY, that’s a different thing. That product is likely to go bad if kept much longer than the date. But we throw away incredible amounts of perfectly safe and usually still fresh food because of those dates, which weren’t even there 30 years ago. Why didn’t we all die back then? Because there’s nothing wrong with that food. I eat it, I feed it to my children and my aged parents, and it isn’t unsafe in any way. Use common sense. If you open a can or jar and there is mold, a bad odor, or the contents look “off,” don’t use it.
My son goes to a private school and they are doing a food drive. I remember receiving “cast offs” when I was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. That really sucked and I would never give that crappy food I had to eat to my two dogs! I am going to the store to buy fresh and healthy food. I want to do more for the hungry here in Alabama.
Take care,
Rob J.
Ack! It never occurred to me that cast-offs would make their way to a food bank. Glad your local food banks have you to rely on this year, Rob!
Rob,
First, thank you for your service! Second, I’m so sorry someone sent you “cast off” items. That is totally disrespectful!
Working in the schools, I see many students without means but still want to give; something about those with the least giving the most; so maybe there was good intent. Give them the benefit of the doubt.
Wow….that’s really deplorable that our troops would receive such low quality donations…thank you for your service; for serving our country and the help you clearly plan to give now that you are home. All is well for my family now, but there was one year, due to circumstance, that I had to go to a food bank and accept help to feed my kids….one I’d donated to only the year before…it was a very humbling experience for me but the people were so incredibly kind. There were some foods however that were way past their expiration date that I would not eat (meat for instance) nor feed my kids for fear of illness. It gave me a new perspective of what to donate…not that I had ever thought to dobate expired items, but seeing ehat was actually given gave me new ideas. We were able to get back on our feet by the grace of God and this article really helps with ideas to help others this year. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
It’s also great to include some organic and otherwise what could be considered non-traditional options. Boxed quinoa, couscous, organic canned fruits and veggies–these are also greatly appreciated. Sometimes it’s so nice to just present options to people, not that there is anything wrong with what is already donated.
Love this, Lucy! I’ve heard people complain in the past that it seemed like quinoa or couscous were somehow cast-offs from their own pantry, while I thought exactly the same thing you did here. I’d LOVE to see that stuff at a food pantry. Options are always good.
Couscous is a really good idea because it cooks so quickly. I often bring this camping. It can be cooked easily over a camp stove or campfire or maybe even with super hot water tap water.
I’m a vegan and my daughter is vegetarian (she consumes dairy) and we’ve been in rough times lately. I always get SO excited when I get in line and find something like quinoa, vegan meat or cheese, or Amy’s No Chicken Noodle soup or things like that. The people ahead of me in line always give that stuff weird looks, but we have to decline a lot of things they offer as we can’t eat them. Of course, I always love beans and peanut butter and those sorts of things. I think spices are a great idea. I once got a container of salt there and was pretty psyched about it.
I have wound up with a lot of expired beans. I just ate a package of soybeans from Trader Joe’s they gave me this month that expired in 2011, but don’t feel sick, it tasted okay. My daughters gets expired yogurts, I think they freeze them, and they’ve been okay. Sometimes they’ve expired two weeks prior.
Last month for some reason they had gallon zip lock bags of cat food (we have two cats) and it was a LIFESAVER, freed up our funds to get some fresh produce to add to the canned/dry goods. Things like that mean a lot to people.
There’ve been months I’ve donated, and months I’ve had to visit. Hopefully I’ll be more in a position to donate soon.
often food banks get donations of industrial sized producta and they portion them out in ziploc bags to easy to carry sizes.
One warning about the flip lid cans. These do not last past expiration. Air serms to get in and I’ve opened up moldy soups a few times. They are great if they are new and used soon but do not keep well.
I hope so too. Blessings on you!
Vegan meat? Please explain. I hope your cats are not vegetarian – cats need animal protein.
Paper goods. Paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, plastic forks, knives, spoons.
As someone who relies on her local Kosher pantry, financial donations are most important. We get a lot of fresh vegetables because of partnerships with local programs.
Great ideas! Can never go wrong with paper towels and the like.
Plus, I love that your pantry is able to offer fresh vegetables. What a smart alliance.
Our local cub scout always has a food drive, but instead of food, we collect paper products. These are items not typically covered with food stamps, and sometimes there just isn’t money to get those necessary things.
How great, Sheryn! Love this idea.
What about cat or dog food? Some homeless people have pets.
Absolutely, Karen.
I have seen this and having pet food is wise. I’ve worked at a park ministry and have heard the receipent ask if he could have food for his dog. Agree great thought!
Coffee, tea, nuts,
I also heard that some places are asking for socks, gloves, hats and scarves.
So smart, Abby. Thanks!
Im in Canada and have used food banks although it was 30 plus years ago. I have an adult dtr with 4 children that has to use them now at times. Sadly NOTHING seems to have changed. My experiences were horrid. Never did I receive foods that corresponded with each other. Id get pasta but no sauce or sauce without pasta. Ive received dry hamburger buns but nothing but marmalade (ya right if you think my kids would ever eat that) to put on them or not receive bread products at all but would get a jar of jam. Ive received coffee whitener without tea or coffee too. Many times I was given canned pumpkin, cans upon cans of jellied cranberries, cans upon cans of pineapple and boxes and boxes of red and green jello. We ate it and were glad for it, its all we had, but we also knew it was your left over Christmas/Easter dinner that your kids took to school for the food drive.
Please don’t think I am being ungrateful, Im not. You kept my children alive when I couldn’t. We would have literally starved without the FB. I would have had to make some long term decisions for our short term problems (I would have HAD to place my kids in the care of the CAS) just so they could eat, without the generosity of those that donated to the FB’s, so I am very grateful!
I read where a poster said something about NOT donating sugary juices or flavoured crystals and I disagree. Please believe me when I tell you that we are going to water the heck out of the “juice” and/or flavoured crystals for our kids anyway. We have NOTHING else to drink and we need to make it last for as long as we possibly can, and then some. At this point, nutrition is not the most important thing. Keeping our kids fed with whatever we have available to us that’s edible is all we think about. I can honestly say those were thee most stressful times of my life…worrying about my children. Ive been widowed, divorced, fired, laid off, forced to move, bought a house etc etc and nothing compares to the stress of a mother not able to care for her kids.
Pls lets not forget things like diapers. When purchasing diapers to donate, pls buy the cheaper diapers and donate more of them. The FB only gives out approximately 15 (or less depending on their availability) diapers to each baby in the family. Id much rather have my baby dry for 5-7 days (nope she isn’t going to get changed as often as your baby would bc I need to make these diapers lasttttttt) than have my baby wearing name brand expensive diapers and only be able to keep her dry for 2-3 days. Also PLEASE donate your left over diapers when your baby goes up to the next size or toilet trains. In my visits to the Food Banks, they gave out the diapers in a gallon plastic bag anyway so who cares if the box or bag you donated was opened. (same with wipes) Also size 3 and 4 diapers are best to donate. Size 4 is the most popular size. Out of sheer desperation and necessity Ive learned to fold a size 3 diaper to fit a tiny infant and stretch a size 4 diaper to fit the biggest baby. (Id have been SOOOOO happy if a FB had offered me 6-10 cloth diapers and plastic covers (even used- but clean and stain free) so Id have had diapers always. Id have been happy to wash them by hand if I had to as long as I had detergent or even bar face soap or dish soap to get them clean with. Im not sure how it would work, but laundry GC’s would have been a blessing as well. Most laundromats now use reusable cards that you pre load with a dollar amount instead of using coins to use their washers and dryers. I’d have cried with joy to have been able to wash some clothes in a real washer instead of washing by hand in the bathtub and hanging all over my tiny apartment.
YES please donate that laundry soap you bought and opened and used and hated bc it had a horrible smell or it didn’t get your clothes clean and soft. The FB is going to divide it up in gallon bags and give each family a partial amount anyway and at least it’s SOAP. We’re happy to have it. This is different IMO than used toiletries. Toiletries are personal and laundry soap is NEEDED. I did notice that the FB my dtr goes to has a table set up with partially used shampoos, conditioners, new dollar store bubble baths, nice but used candles, new combs, used books etc etc and a box of hand knitted mittens, hats and scares. Nobody I saw looked pissed that those items were offered for free, In fact people were excited and waiting to see what else was coming out to the table. (as Id have been 30 years ago)
Please, also remember to donate sanitary napkins and toilet paper. Again, please buy the cheaper stuff and donate more of it. We’d much rather have 6 rolls of cheap crunchy stuff than 2 rolls of the soft thick stuff. We need it to last. School lunch items are also very important. So many kids don’t go to school for xxx days each month because their family has run out of foods that pack in a lunch. If you’d like to help, call an elementary school in your city and offer to purchase lunch tickets or daily milk cartons for 1 o 2 or more kids in the school that the principal knows needs the help.
I have needed help when it is at the end of the month and waiting for my next social security check.
Besides food people don’t realize toilet paper, shampoos and toiletry items are a luxury.
And Bravo for pointing out Cloth Diapers can be washed and reused unlike disposables
BTDT, I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that, and I’m sorry your daughter is in need now. Thank you for sharing your experiences; I learned a lot. I don’t know if our pantry would divide up laundry soap as yours did, but that was a good reminder to donate that, as well. And the diapers!
Our local food bank takes donations from people’s gardens for fresh options in the summer and fall. It’s a way around my area to share what you may have grown too much of. There’s even a program where they provide seeds to people who would plant extra to then donate back.
Crystal, that is just amazing.
I had an abundance of poblano peppers this year, more than my family could use, so I donated those to my local food bank. They keep for a long time – weeks! – and were highly desired for flavoring what could otherwise be a bland meal. Another time, I was going away for a bit over a week, so I picked as many ripe and almost ripe tomatoes as I could, and brought them to the food bank on the morning of distribution day, so the folks could get some fresh veg; otherwise the veg would go bad in my garden. My local food bank doesn’t have cold storage space, so they were able to give out perishable foods on the same day.
One of our local food pantries has one donation day a month (I don’t know what people do the rest of the month for food…) and I’d always harvest from my garden and take things to them on that day. I had fresh herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, greens… Apparently, the clients were delighted with all of it and it went quickly, even the hot peppers. I think that people appreciated those because the pantry doesn’t supply spices or other ways to make meals taste better, and those peppers were a treat. I’ve determined to plant a lot more of them this year! And the herbs were also a hit; fresh basil makes almost any meal better.
Don’t forget baby food and formula.
So many people get those formula samples in the mail & don’t know what to do with them. (I swear, I got formula in the mail from the time I found out I was pregnant with my first until my last was 6 years old.) So many people end up throwing them away not realizing that the food banks can use them. When I dumped a bunch of cans of formula into the donation box at the school where I was teaching, nearly everyone said they had never thought of that.
How about some personal items, like toilet paper, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair brush, deodorant, tampons, etc. this are things that can’t be bought with food stamps and it gets very expensive for a single mom.
Thank you for this informative post! I learned a lot from it and all the comments. I will use it when donating. I’ll also pass this on. THANKS!
Thank YOU, Alexandra. I love reading all of these ideas in the comments too. Happy holidays!
Have you heard of the Good & Cheap cookbook? It was written with d food stamp clients in mind. Non-profits can buy a box of them for $4 a copy, and you can get a PDF of it for free. http://www.leannebrown.com/ Maybe churches could buy a box of them to give away to low-income people.
Eileen — Thank you for mentioning this! I had heard of it before but wasn’t sure of the exact name and here it is. I’ll pass it on to a pastor at our church. I’m actually teaching a cooking class for single moms through an outreach program with our church and this book would be great to compare to the curriculum I had in mind. THANKS again!
We lived on a sailboat for a year in Mexico, and found that most people don’t think of giving water, but that’s actually very helpful. Some people have a hard time getting water when homeless.
We also threw in some balloons, or chalk or crayons and a coloring book for the children.
Always check with your local food bank as to what are the most needed items for them these vary from area to area based on their needs and what is already donated. We asked them for the 12 items they needed the most and ask our church to donate one item each month of the year
Steve, this is a great point. I asked two local food banks, in nearby Durham, NC. I’m sure their needs vary from those in your area, and also by time of year.
My foodbank also accepts money this time of year so I always get a mix of canned goods and money to give!!
Quite often, money is a more valuable gift than food. Our food pantry can purchase what we need for around 18 cents per pound from the local Feed America affiliate compared to you spending $.75 – $1.50 for the same items.
Wayne, that’s such a smart insight. Thanks for letting us know!
I am a couponer so always set a goal to save 50 percent. Our Publix has prepackaged food meals in bags that you can purchase for the local food bank. They handle delivery, etc. Since I saved for myself I always ‘buy’ a bag from them at checkout. It’s easy and somehow seems right to share my savings by helping others. Last week the woman behind me in line was astounded at my savings, then looked so surprised when I ‘bought’ the bag for donation. She said to the cashier, “I will do the same thing”. Good karma all around.
Ruth, this just gave me chills. THANK YOU for sharing your savings, for inspiring other people and for sharing this story. You’ve already made my day and it’s 8:26am.
I’m glad somebody got this in before I did. Food banks can buy the things that are really needed in bulk and usually at a better price. Giving items makes us all feel better, but throw in some money, too.
Wouldn’t it be helpful to donate things for people with food allergies? My family is gluten intolerant, and I’m sure there must be many families who would appreciate having gluten-free products. Or products for other special dietary needs.
I was thinking the same thing. Especially since allergy friendly foods are so expensive, it can be a huge financial burden.
I live north of Pittsburgh, PA. One of the pantries there specializes in serving individuals who have celiac disease. That is wonderful! So many people are affected and gluten free food is so expensive. Money is probably their biggest request. But Aldi…a local low price grocery chain now carries their own like of gluten-free products at very reasonable prices….to donate!
And what a great tip about Aldi! My neighbor swears by that place.
And something like Sunbutter for those that are nut allergic, Trader Joe’s has a more reasonably priced brand.
When we used to rely on food banks, we always asked for pet food, oil, coffee, tea, dry goods like flour, beans and rice, salt, sugar. Since most of our family couldn’t eat dairy, we always asked for things like soy milk. Food banks don’t often have dry goods or oils, but sometimes they do and will give them when asked. One time we got a whole sheet cake for a birthday for one of our kids. People do appreciate those things a lot. It can make the difference between being able to have a birthday party for a kid or not. Also, things like tortillas are great! Bread and canned goods are very plenty in food banks. Although, not food, toilet paper and dish soap are nice.
I’ve also volunteered in a food bank and know how they work. If you know how many families one bank serves, it’s really great to be able to donate one of something for each families. It was nice when someone would donate 50 bottles of oil or 50 rolls of toilet paper. It made it easy to divide and people really appreciate those things.
A sheet cake! What a thoughtful person who donated that. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
A food bank where I volunteered got meats, fresh foods,baked goods and fresh bread as donations from local chain stores. That was a huge help. We were always looking for pet food, baby food, diapers, paper items, laundry detergent,personal care items. As far as “specialty foods” consider your local population. Also think of seniors that can’t eat the largest box or bag of something that families can.
Also consider donating items that can stand on their own. I got a can of unsalted pumpkin puree once. Nasty stuff when you don’t have any other pumpkin pie ingredients. At the time, all I had to eat was what was in that box. I didn’t have milk or butter for the boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese either. At least that can be made with just water and I even prefer it that way. But my point is, don’t assume they have the rest of the ingredients at home.
Stacey, this is the greatest point. THANK YOU for this practical reminder. I wonder if it’s possible to “bundle” a few things to stay together as a pack for one home. It’s tricky because so many items require something perishable but at least this is a start.
A good food drive for kids (scouts, schools) especially during non holiday times are birthday bags. Cake mix, canned frosting, foil cake or cupcake pan, paper birthday plates and napkins, candles, balloons. Even the littlest ones can empathize with how another child who might have a birthday that was not celebrated.
I also learned how to make Macaroni and Cheese from a Food Box, without milk or butter, and to this day my daughter and I ( she is 32 now) prefer the taste that way.
That’s why if I give mac and cheese, I give the Velveeta kind with the pouch of cheese sauce. You have everything you need for creamy mac and cheese.
I try to include simplecrecipes that can use common items found in pantries. Also, laundry detergent and a sewing kit.
Kathleen, brilliant. I thought of doing something similar, with the recipes. It would’ve never crossed my mind to give a sewing kit. THANK YOU for both suggestions!
Our church has been “challenging” the congregation every month, one month will bring food, another, hygiene products, another new socks and underwear. Also the schools divide the classes into teams and each team gets a different list of items needed. Our elementary school is working with our shoprite store to provide meals for children over long weekends and holidays.
Jessica, I LOVE this. Strategically giving to make the biggest impact. You are such an inspiration!
Our church held an “Undie Sunday” and collected over 500 pairs of underpants & socks last year. This year we challenged other churches in the Deanery to match us. Underwear (and socks) won’t get stale or go out of style and you know folks are going to need it! Fun, funny briefs are great for the kids, but remember how fast they grow and try to get a balance of sizes.
In our community, each church has a different focus for the same agency. Our church (and a couple others) collect food. One collects paper products and personal items, another collects bed linens, socks and underwear, and so forth. Then for the holidays each church is assigned a family from amongst those with the highest needs, and while we don’t know names, we have wish lists for each person.
I work in child protection, and often when we place a child with relatives, we need to take the family to the food and clothing bank. We are very thankful to have access to things like linens, diapers, and so forth for immediate needs since it usually takes a week or so to arrange for financial assistance for these families.
How awesome to coordinate so well, Nizza! This is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing. (PS. I wonder if you’re Italian. When we lived in Rome, our apartment was located on Via Nizza and seeing your name brings back great memories.)
Thank you for this post and all the additional comments! I’m going to share this on my FB page.
Last year I saw a local homeless man at an event at the local performing arts center. He was having a great time! I’d never thought of donating tickets to the food bank or shelter. What do you think of tickets to a local (walkable) theater or something like that?
I understand your desire to give people real joy, Yvonne, but until people’s bellies are full, they can’t enjoy the theater or arts very well. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs explains how this works: http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
PLEASE check with your food bank before donating perishable items like cakes, dairy, and other fresh foods! Not every food pantry has cold storage, and most aren’t open daily.
Also, ask if they do it don’t want economy-size packages. For people walking, ir taking public transportation, transporting 15 bags or 30 lbs is exhausting.
Some grocery stores like Meijer here in Michigan have displays set up where you can purchase a gift card where the store then donates that money to a specific food pantry. That way the food pantry can purchase what is needed.
Before donating peanut butter, please consider an allergy-friendly option such as SunButter or Sneaky Chef’s golden pea butter.
Peanut allergies are a growing concern, and with 1 in 13 children in America having a life-threatening food allergy, the last thing you want to do is inadvertantly kill a child you’re hoping to feed.
Our church is part of a personal needs pantry that supplements the food pantries in our community with basic toiletries, cleaning products, and paper products. There are a couple of other sources of diapers in the community (never enough, of course) — we’ve learned that many of our clients also need adult incontinence products.
See here for some great examples of partnerships with farmers and others to grow, harvest, and deliver fresh food. Chester County Pa’s food bank is now able to focus on providing healthy food, one key to breaking the cycle of poverty, poor health, etc. See if you can get this sort of program started. http://Www.chestercountyfoodbank.org
When my kids were young we had to frequent the foodbank quite often. One of the things we appreciated was a special treat, a bag of cookies or some chocolate. When they were real little we loved getting those small cans of vienna sausages. Packaged things like rice-a-roni or pasta-roni are great, as well as taco seasoning, sides like black olives, etc. Cans of carrots were always a favorite of ours, but never mixed veggies like peas & carrots.
keep in mind that many Food BAnks have the contacts to purchase food at prices far less than retail. A small donation of $10 or $20 can go really far when used at distribution centers.
As many people here have said, ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR FOOD BANK. Excuse the caps, but this is so important! My church runs a food bank that mostly serves Central American families, and many “staple” items vary by culture. For Salvadoran immigrants, masa (a special type of corn flour) and cooking oil are essential, because they’re used to make tortillas. I’m thinking these ingredients may not go over so well in rural New England. So always check! Also, some food banks would prefer cash, and they can often use it much more effectively than you! For example, my church (this is just one example of course!) uses donations to buy fresh produce at a discounted price, and they can purchase exactly what they need rather than relying on the luck of the draw with what people bring in. And for me, writing a check is so much easier than a shopping trip and hauling a bunch of stuff in! Yeah, the warm fuzzies with writing a check are less intense, but I know my money is probably going much further since they have access to special discounts that I do not.
My church is hosting a paper products drive this month because toilet paper and paper towels are not covered by assistance.
Also gift cards to places like Mcdonalds, Walmart, etc. Then they can feel a little more “normal” when they go to do their own shopping.
This is great! I shared on my facebook page to help everyone doing food drives locally! http://on.fb.me/11sxNax
Detergent, toilet paper, soap and toothpaste are always in demand. Cans with pop top lids and items that can be cooked in a microwave are great. Catsup, mustard, BBQ sauce etc always go fast.
I travel for a living and have collected a huge amount of hotel toiletries. Can you use these? I also like to donate canned Beef Stew mostly because I like it but it has meat and veggies and is very hearty.
Yes, Jane! We talked about that and these are excellent. Particularly for people on the street. Thanks!
My local grocery store sells pre-filled boxes of canned/boxed items that the local food pantries have told them they need. So, for $10 you can buy a box and the store will take care of getting it to the food pantry.
Since you’ve (very considerately) mentioned taking diabetic diets into account when donating to food pantries, please also note that “sugar” itself is not the only factor to consider. It really is all carbohydrates, because starches break down, very readily, in the body to produce additional glucose — this is why people “carb up” before strenuous exercise.
Again, thanks for noting the different needs of different segments of the population!
The best advice is check with your local food bank or pantry. As many have said dollars go further then cans of food; the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank serve many, many pantries, and they buy in bulk (pasta, rice) that volunteers then pack in 1 pound bags for them to distribute. They also get a lot of fresh food & volunteers help sort that for them.
Your local food bank will be able to give you their “most wanted” list to shop from!
If you can afford it, drop off some quinoa, pine nuts, olive oil, garbanzo beans, orzo pasta etc… For many people – of all income levels – these might not mean anything, but for a home chef who’s hit a rough patch, the sight of a fun ingredient could brighten the day, and replenish some dignity and pride.
Coffee! My local food bank really appreciates coffee.
Our students are collecting for our local food pantry now, so this is all good information thanks for everyone’s input.
One of our goals is to Keep it well rounded and diversified as it is a diversified group.
In addition to donating ourselves, we have asked friends to bring items to donate to the pantry when we have birthday parties – instead of all those little plastic favors that go in the trash being handed out, we have the kids bring items that can be used by someone in need. My son’s friends have become great givers over the past 10 years and they have learned that this is actually much more rewarding than the few minutes they would play with favors.
Diane — I love this idea so much. We moved to NC from Italy a year and a half ago (we’re Americans who were living overseas) and since then have had 2 birthday parties with pinatas–and $80 worth of trinkets for each one. What a waste! I’ve vowed to never do favors again and this is a great thing to replace them with. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never had a food drive or food bank turn down money. They can do a lot of good.
Laundry detergent and toilet paper are the two things always lacking in our food pantry and things our guests always ask for.
How about we donate can openers?!
We always talk about donating diapers for babies. Some of us poor people suffer from incontinence, and nothing ruins hope of finding a job like being incontinent with no diapers. …not all incontinence sufferers are elderly!!
Here in Boulder, CO we have a non-profit org called Boulder Food Rescue. Restaurants,grocery stores, & local farmers & gardeners donate food that is picked up by BFR volunteers by bicycle (some are cargo bikes others have bike trailers) who then deliver it to local soup kitchens and food banks. The org has saved thousands of pounds of food from rotting in landfills by getting it to those who need it most in a timely & eco-conscious way.
Serving as a pastor, e often food Bank drives, they requested cash donations if possible because they can buy much more from the money we spend on canned goods than we are able to buy. Of course they take our God’s, but would prefer cash.
I have also been told that cake mixes and cans of frosting are needed so that families with young children can make a birthday cake for their children.
AS greatfull as I am for the things I get a t the food bank I disagree with some of the things in this article 1 things we get too much of peanut butter, rice, oatmeal. dried beans
I wonder why that is. I practically live off rice beans oatmeal potatoes, etc., I would like to donate those things because they are so healthy, and they are sustainable and economical.
What about donating OTC medicines and supplements?
Our local council on aging offers coupons to the local farmers markets during the season, and for home bound elders, they deliver fresh produce right to their homes.
I am so proud to be part of an organization that does this. Fresh fruits and veggies are shop 7 important.
Pet food.
I can’t emphasize that enough. I know it’s hard to think of the critters when there are hungry human mouths, but many people who need food assistance also have pets. Animals are cherished companions for many, especially the elderly, and it can be extra hard to find the money to feed them. Sometimes a pet will surpass one’s own need for food, and they’ll go hungry instead of letting their fur buddies go hungry. Check and see if your local pantry accepts pet food or products, like cat litter. If they don’t, it might be good to start offering.
at one time, in my family, 3 of us were working at places that got FREE 20+lb Turkey for Thanks Giving, and 10+lb Ham for Christmas. now that is a LOT of meat, so what we did is we donated our extra frozen Turkey and Ham to the food banks. We also recommended it to our other friends who were in such situations to do the same. I’m not sure if your food bank has a freezer or anything, but who knows there may be a soup kitchen or a church that puts on holiday dinners for the needy that could use the extra servings.
Our local food bank requests dish liquid. It can be used for bathing, shampooing, and doing dishes or laundry. Our church goes to the dollar store because the concentrated liquids don’t work as well.
Our local food bank also appreciates donations of pet food. So many people may have a dog or cat and it’s difficult to provide for them but they are an important member of the family. Even a large bag of food can be donated and it can be divided among smaller bags or containers for distribution.
I often donate single-serving items, thinking of the many people who live alone and don’t need family-sized amounts.
I think having a variety of serving sizes is probably best– there are plenty of people who are alone, and plenty of families. Seems like it’s best to have some of each to serve the many different needs of the people who come in. A person living alone having to take family-sized items might end up having a lot of waste.
My husband and I travel a lot and have ended up with quite a few of the personal size toiletries found in hotel rooms. Perfect for giving to the homeless. Plus the toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste we receive from the dentist twice a year. Our local military commissary has case lot sales at least twice a year so hubby and I like to grab a few extra cases of things. No worry about bags or boxes getting crushed when you buy by the case. Our local shelter has said their customers like the individual pop-top cans of things like Chef Boy-ar-Dee ravioli and beefaroni.
Excellent list! Our local food pantry often had to buy high protein items and vegetables. Most donors don’t realize that food pantries purchase from regional food banks, in order to cover their overhead and shipping costs. Cash or gift cards for local supermarkets are always welcome.
I know this has been mentioned a time or two already, but remember that there are people that can’t get into a shelter or “soup kitchen” because they have their pets in-tow. For some, their pets are all they have and the person will go without if they cannot include their pet(s). So, think about donating dry or wet dog/cat food and even a leash or collar. It would be nice if there could be someone outside to watch the person’s/families pet(s) so that the person/people could go into a food bank or “soup kitchen”, get what they need and then could retrieve their pet(s) once completed. I know this would take additional volunteers, but think about the additional population that could be served/helped.
Thanks for getting this important information out to those who want to help. As a director a a food pantry for over 20 years, I see the tremendous blessing of donations to our neighbors in need.
The need for personal care and hygiene is tremendous.
Week after week, the hygiene shelves are emptied quickly and guests routinely request more of these basic and critical hygiene items than we can provide. Some people come to our pantry just to get these items. A mother of teens sums it up: “If I wasn’t able to get hygiene products for my kids I’m afraid their self-esteem would suffer. The pantry provides, soap, shampoo and cleaning supplies we would otherwise go without.”
Basic essential personal hygiene products including soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, diapers and toilet paper cannot be purchased with food stamps. They tend to be expensive to purchase and are also taxable, which adds to their cost. These basic necessities are out of reach to many of our neighbors. YOU can help!
We can all do something to help make another persons life better. And thus our own.
Thanks, Mimi! These items are so easy to overlook when one thinks of a food pantry donation. Love your spirit and thank you for the encouragement.
Before my daughter was born, I stocked up on formula with my coupons, just in case. Fortunately, we haven’t needed to use any. Unfortunately, I had a whole shelf of formula. So, off to the school’s canned food drive. 10 bottles of liquid and 15 cans of dry formula that hopefully will help someone else.
Brilliant, Kate! As a breastfeeding mom right now, I know how expensive that stuff is and what a lifesaver it can be–in some cases literally.
Consider gluten free. About 10% require it…not just a choice but a medical necessity.! most food banks and soup kitchens rely heavily on carbs, processed foods and pastas. Not allowed for celiacs unless certified gluten free. This stuff is expensive and almost impossible to afford on restricted incomes!
Because many parents on food stAmps or limited incomes may not be able to provide a birthday cake, I have put together a cake mix, can of frosting and a box of candles making it possible to provide the makings of a party.
Our church has a good amount of land. We actually have a large garden every summer “The First Fruits Garden”. All volunteer labor. All of the produce goes to the local food pantry 🙂 Our AWANA kiddos have food drives for the food pantry. We also have times when we collect toothbrushes/toothpaste. Even though we live in a rather small town, the amount of people who are homeless is mindboggling. Our foodpantry gives kits to them that have sleeping bags, and various other things.
Kayleen — This is so beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration! Our girls go to AWANA in nearby Durham and love it.
Baby formula and baby food. When my first child was born it was just one week after my mother died and I had left active duty military service to care for her. I didn’t have a job and was emotionally drained after months of my mother’s illness. Friends who were still on active duty bought me cases of baby bottles, diapers, wipes and baby formula because I was unable to nurse. Their support meant the world to me and when we finally got my mom’s estate settled I went out and purchased all the same items, loaded up the station wagon and delivered them to the pantry at mom’s church.
I haven’t seen anyone mention coffee even instant. I don’t know about but even if it is not nutritious I would like a cup of coffee in the morning. Don’t you? I have even bought cigarettes for people. I have worked with many homeless people who have mental illness and cigs calm people down. Is it wrong? Maybe but if I was on the streets I would always be anxious. If ever you see a homeless person in front of a store or a restaurant ask them if they need anything even if it is only $5-$10 worth because then your giving them exactly what they need. If ever you are able to smile at a homeless person if they even look up consider that a gift because most people treat them as less than human. One day there was a group of homeless people next to Liquor store and I just said a general Hi to everyone. You know what happened? One of the men came straight up to me and gave me a hug and I was the one that was blessed. Please Please treat these people with respect regardless of why they are there. If a person is maybe schizophrenic and talking to himself you normally don’t need to be afraid. They are harmless. Ok rant over. 🙂
A few people have mentioned coffee or tea, Suzanna but not instant. That’s so smart.
And thank you for these words. I know it’s hard for me to step out of my comfort zone sometimes and your note encourages me. I lived in New York City for 12 years and had lots of interactions with homeless people as I sort of bumbled along trying to help out here and there. No one ever hugged me, but I love that someone hugged you. Thanks again.
I was try to do a meal something simple spaghetti sauce and noodles
can of chicken and taco box tuna and a box of tuna helper peanut butter and jelly rice dried beans and greens. But I always bring my own supplies to a hotel so I always take the soap and shampoo and coffee packs to add to my recycle bags.
What about those $15 butane stoves and exttra fuel from the asian market. They are safe for indoor cooking and could solve the cooking problem for those who don’t have facilities. It may be a liability for the food bank though.
Shelf stable milk and butter would also help with making boxed dinners. Freeze dried meals, meats, and veggies are shelf stable, light, fast cooking and nutritious.
Great article. Having worked at a food bank in the past, I would like to add that pasta is a great alternative too. Of course, macaroni and cheese boxes, include as well dry pasta, and jars or cans of spaghetti sauce. Popcorn is another product and baby formula, eggs, fresh fruit, vegetables, honey, dry lentils, flour, sugar…The volunteers will package these into smaller portions. . If you hunt, you may want to donate the meat to the food bank. However, you should call the food bank in your area first…to see what the procedure for doing so, first off. So many moms leave the hospital with a care pack they often don`t use. Please donate formula…Items like dish soap, bars of soap, cake or cookie and brownie mixes, where one needs to add water only. Tin foil, baggies for sandwiches, etc. Toilet tissue, combs… Anything you would need at home or when camping…are items most food banks can use. I mention camping…because many are homeless, and require matches, canned fish, etc. I do thank you for the above article as many are not aware of the needs required. I look forward to the day when no one will go hungry or be cold and destitute. We must show gratitude for all that we have.
My husband works full time and I stay home with our 8 week old daughter and 18 month son. We do not receive food stamps so I have been to the food bank before. Baby formula would be greatly appreciated at a food bank along with milk. Formula is so expensive and my body doesn’t produce enough breast milk for my daughter. There are times when we live on whatever is in our cupboard so our daughter can have formula and our son has enough whole milk and fresh fruits with the nutrients in them for his brain development. We can live on crackers but the kids can’t go without.
To the person above who questioned why they wouldn’t want more oatmeal and beans, I will share my personal experience. We were poor when I was a kid, and my mom used a lot of dried items from bulk purchase to eat cheaply so I tend to think of beans as an obvious go-to for cheap eating. But I was raised in a rural area. We spent a lot of time dealing with transport issues, for example. Then I worked at a shelter in an urban area. A woman informed me that when she said she wanted to take a box of food that didn’t need to be cooked, she meant cooked in any form. No pasta, no sauce. She needed microwave mac and cheese and boxes of cereal, because there wasn’t a functioning stove in the new place they were moving to, just a microwave and refrigerator. Worse still, people on food stamps in urban areas sometimes don’t even have the basic equipment to make recipes that would save them money, like pots and pans or places to store the leftovers. You can’t make beans or oatmeal without that! There is a surprising difference between urban and rural poverty when it comes to food needs.
This is a fine list, and I don’t doubt it. However, wouldn’t food banks really just prefer cold, hard, cash so they can buy exactly what they need in bulk. Shouldn’t THAT be No. 1 on the list?
Today the scouts were at the front of the store collecting non-perishable food only (not paper or hygiene products). I donated a large box of healthy but good tasting cereal (breakfast is important) , a jar of peanuts (protein, portable), a package of juice boxes (for lunches), a bulk container of hot cocoa (a luxury some might enjoy but not buy if on a limited budget). Having seen the food my dad sometimes gets as a senior citizen, I avoid boxes of things with a limited shelf life, like taco kits. If left too long, the corn and flour products spoil.
Do food banks/pantries also accept pet food? I have been looking for a pet food pantry in my area but I haven’t been able to find one.
Yes, Joan, they sure do. Take it to your regular food pantry and they’ll be thrilled.
I donate cat and dog food every month to my local pantry but started this only after consulting with the pantry director. Other pantries in my area may stock a can or two. How about your SPCA? Or just talk to your pantry and see if they’d have room for a small pet section.
This is great! Except that Raisin Bran is really high in sugar, higher than most of the typical sugar cereals.
Regarding Pet Food: Houston has a program called Animeals on Wheels. It is part of the Meals on Wheels program. They take in donations of dog and cat food and treats. They deliver the pet food monthly to any Meals on Wheels recipients that have pets. I have given to this organization for several years. You can donate a 40 pound bag and volunteers will re bag it to fit individual needs.
I have noticed people I help often do not have a can opener. They get cans and try to open them with a knife. I had someone tell me that they can just borrow one from a neighbor. That might work in my neighborhood, but the people I have worked with were not comfortable with the security around their new apartments. I look for really nice ones that I would like to use. They go on sale periodically. When I find them I buy a few to share with my church or people coming out of homelessness. In the past I have spent days looking for cheap can openers, only to have them crush under the weight of someone’s hand. Recently I walked into a store and saw my favorite kitchen aid can opener on sale for $3.99. I bought some to share.
We ended up with an extra case of coffee after a warehouse sale & our food bank went WILD over it! Thaey said people always ask for itbut it’s rarely donated so it would be a little “luxury” they could now provide. We planto end up with extra coffee to donate on purpose after next year’s sale 🙂
im not sure if it has been said but socks gloves scarves and hats are always needed for the homeless shelters. The shelter where I live they make everyone leave during the day unless the temperature is below freezing. Also donating backpacks for them to carry their stuff in is great. I have never been in the homeless shelter thanks to friends and family but several of my friends have. Food banks are useful. I have used them from time to time. Household items like dish soap laundry soap hygiene items are always a blessing to receive.
I work at a food shelf and I would have to say the best thing to give is cash. We can buy stuff for 30% of normal list price or better. We receive a lot of donations from our local Walmart, Hy-vee, Fareway Foods, and Aldis. We order food from our food bank once a week, so everything is fresh. Thanks for your article! My hats off to all of you that volunteer at your local food shelf’s. Since we give out clothes, and furniture, we have roughly 100 volunteers, and we could never do it without them….. Happy Thanksgiving….
I always donate money. Food banks tend to have purchasing relationships with places like Gordon Food Service, Costco, etc., and can get much more food for the dollar if they do the buying.
To get fresh fruit to food banks, the Portland Fruit Tree Project in Oregon connects volunteers with fruit-tree owners who can’t use all their fruit or care for their trees. Volunteer parties prune the trees and harvest the fruit, half of which is donated to food pantries and food banks. The volunteers, many of them low-income, share in the fruit harvest, too.
Our local food bank gladly accepts fresh produce, fruits and nuts from gardeners. I have heard of some food banks accepting deer meat to give to those in need, but I’m sure that would depend on state and local health rules. Our food bank also accepts frozen meats and other frozen foods, and milk, eggs and dairy products and other perishables.
my daughters and I have milk, wheat, egg, and need allergies. The first time I went to the food bank I cried! Families of two were walking out with more food than my family of six because there just wasn’t much we could eat. We started spreading the word and things have improved, but please remember special dietary needs in your donations! The top 8 allergens in the states are milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and soy. Donate an item without these ingredients every now and then. Even a box of gluten free crackers, cereal, oatmeal or pasta could make a mama cry for joy instead of frustration! Non-dairy shelf stable milks like rice, coconut, almond, or soy are another biggie. If your bank takes fresh items, non-dairy butter like blue bonner light or smart balance light or Vegenaise are great. Imagine getting tuna, but nothing to mix it with or cook it with? Cereal, but no milk? Instant potatoes, but no butter? Pasta sauce, but no pasta? Peanut butter, but no bread? Fill in the gaps for folks who have to make the hard choice to either go hungry or risk their health or even their life eating things they’re allergic to!
we didn’t give Food , but last winter my wife took our three children to the fabric store and bought a bunch of fleece remnants and stuff on a good sale in all colors and patterns , brought it home and cut into scarfs with fringe and all, and took them to a local church / shelter for the homeless in the winter, we hope it helped keep them warm
My little Girl Scouts wanted to donate boxes of cookies to put in each “snack bag” (for free & reduced lunchers) going home from school but due to nutritional standards, they would not allow it. Understandable but sad. My girls wanted to send home a treat.
Have to say it was good to see the hygiene products included on your list. I forget what disaster it was (Katrina. some floods or an earthquake) but someone brought up the same point.
I passed along this link because we have been talking in a secular group I belong to about us giving back.
I always donate money so they can buy what they are short of at time. I sure wish we had Victory Gardens where the homeless could be taught to grow veggies, give them a small plot, what materials they need which they can grow what they need, want, or like and build their self esteem because they are helping theirselves. God blesss them all. We should all think when we see someone down trodden, hungry, in need of a coat, or blankets, etc…let the thought pass thru ur mind that always passes through mind “there but for the grace of God”….it could be anyone of us in that position at any moment.
The food pantry I volunteer at also always has a need for inexpensive manual can openers. Imagine the horror of living under a bridge or in a motel a and not being able to break into that can of chili or stew. Also, when your family gets takeout, save the bags of individually wrapped silverware and donate those. Right now 3 of us are running a “wrapped Christmas gift for every child 0-18” program and currently have close to 300 toys to handout next week. Children should have the joy of unwrapping at least one gift on Christmas morning. Our pantry also tries to have some artificial trees to give. We’re not just a food pantry; we try to feed our clients in other ways also.
One way I’ve looked at it is that sugars and starches are cheap so there’s a greater chance of a food bank having plenty of it. Those are also items a lot of low income people tend to have in abundance because if someone is hungry they eat for volume not nutrition (not healthy).
The best way to get quality fresh produce, meats and sundries to a food pantry is with CASH. They can extend every dollar given at least 3x’s more than a single person can. That’s what buys tomatoes, chicken, paper towels. PET FOOD and supplies are needed all year long.
The other point I’d like to make is that people aren’t hungry just one season a year. If anything helping to stabilize a food pantry in the lean times (summer) is sorely needed. Consider making a regular monthly donation or finding events at other times of the year for giving.
It’s kind of a personal pet peeve of mine that I sense “generosity” only happens once a year for some and their slate is wiped clean of caring for the next 11 months. I think it does more for their conscious than for anyone else. It’s like the celebrity that spends more on hosting a charity event than they raise in donations. Sorry. Like I said, it’s a personal thing.
Great article. Thank you!
Just one clarification…
I am the Food Sourcing Manager for the food bank in our region, part of the Feeding America network. There is a huge difference between a food bank and a food pantry and therefore their needs will be different.
Food banks may or may not distribute food to the public. Their primary purpose is to distribute food to their partner programs- which includes food pantries, community kitchens and shelters.
Food banks will likely have thousands of square feet of cold or frozen storage space, a small community pantry may only have a domestic size fridge/freezer or no cold storage at all. Therefore a food bank would very much welcome your produce donation from your garden while a pantry may not be able to.
Food banks generally distribute “sorted bulk” to their partner programs- meaning that donations that come in as part of a large food drive must be sorted by volunteers- sometimes as detailed as separating out each type of canned fruit- the peaches from the pears etc. This takes a tremendous amount of volunteer time and space. For this reason many food banks would much prefer monetary donations that they can use to purchase bulk items at below wholesale cost. As an example, we know that we can feed a person three meals a day for a month for $30. Think about how much $30 buys you if you are purchasing at retail to give to a food drive.
However, the reality is that most people don’t necessarily go shopping for the food drive, they give from their pantry- money already spent. Nothing wrong with that, though some have brought up the issue of dated product. Again, each food bank or pantry will have their own policy about this, mostly driven by their own opinions as a consumer or feedback from the clients that they serve. As some have already linked to here, there does need to be more consumer education for all Americans about the food dating process and how/why it was developed. Americans are discarding millions of pounds of edible and healthy food due to misconceptions about what the dates mean.
In the spirit of giving, I find it’s best to be as generous as your budget allows. When you allow roadblock, like worrying to much over low sodium, high cholesterol, gluten free, etc, get in the way of or hinder your giving, then it’s a little like the Pharisees worrying too much how to serve an please God the best. The guidelines spelled out by Jesus Himself, were: a) give as if you were giving to Him, and b) give your money to the poor. Let love be the best motivator! If your food bank says We need peanut butter!!, then give that. Or if they say: we can take fresh turkeys!! Then give fresh turkeys. Or if they specify Q-tips, feminine hygiene products and cold medicine, then give those things.
In other words, don’t rob yourself of the joy of serving over things may have no bearing whatsoever. Someone else may have donated the low-sodium, gluten free, low carb meals. Or you may just be that person…. Go where you feel led, but do it in love.
God Bless your generous hearts!!
Thank you for reminding me why I donate 🙂
I like to give soups that just need to be heated up. Everybody is getting sick this time of year or could use something warm. A basic chicken noodle is my favorite.
I work closely with a local food bank. They absolutely prefer cash or checks, because they can stretch your dollar a lot farther via government programs that you can at any local store. Also, they can use money to buy large quantities of the most needed items, rather than having to rely on volunteers to sort and organize the random items that are donated. So unless you have something sitting around your house unused, do not go shopping for your local food bank, just donate money.
We try to remember to donate foods that are dairy free, and also gluten free foods. Were our family to need a food bank, it could be very hard to get food most of our kiddos could eat without getting sick due to some dairy and wheat allergies.
Foods in easy to open pouches–dried beef, tuna, squeezable baby food fruits are good. Also crackers, non-food items like toilet paper, hand wipes, baby wipes, toothpaste and toothbrushes, cleaning supplies, air freshener. Bags of mini candy bars, little boxes of raisins, individually bagged cookies and snacks are great for those who need to pack lunches for little ones. I try to package “meal makers”–canned chicken with boxes of Rice a Roni, mushroom soup, tuna and noodles, Velveeta or other process cheese that does not need refrigeration, pepperoni sticks, non refrigeratable pizza crusts, canned pizza sauces applesauce in plastic jars, cans of chicken and dumplings, SPAM or Treet luncheon meat, Pop Tarts, fruit snacks, instant oatmeal or cream of wheat.
I know in my area (Schenectady, NY) the weekly Farmer’s Market accepts Food Stamp Benefits. All you need to do is go to the information booth and they provide vouchers (in exchange for your “food stamps”) that can be used on any food item found at the market. So not only does this help get the people in need (at least ones that have food stamp benefits) fresh fruits and vegetables but it also supports the local economy by helping these farmers (who don’t make tons of money either). I am not sure if other areas do this but it is a great concept and I think anyone that is involved with or frequents the Farmer’s Markets should bring this up as an option.
Just my 2 cents.
As the volunteer director of an isolated rural food pantry, I’d first like to say, great article! And may I suggest, if you’re giving macaroni and cheese, you go the extra mile to get the kind that doesn’t require adding butter and milk. Mac and cheese made with only water in the sauce is edible. Barely. Many of my clients don’t have refrigeration, and several of those who do can’t afford the extra cost of butter or milk.
I’d really like to rant a second or two about corporate donors (who aren’t likely to be reading your excellent post), the big box stores that donate cases of things that don’t sell well. They’re using charities for a nice tax write-off, so I’m sure they don’t give a lot of thought to what people in need really *need.* Case in point: this month, the food bank that supplies us is offering, in the donated category, *penetrating oil* (I suppose you *could* use it to fry some potatoes and onions, but I wouldn’t recommend it) and, top of my list, *stainless steel cleaner*! None of my clients can afford stainless steel appliances, if they even have any, nor do they have stainless steel pots and pans to cook their Ramen noodles in. What were these donors thinking?? Oh, right, they *weren’t* thinking. I hope your article gets at least the individual donors to thinking a bit more.
Sorry about the rant, and thank you again for the excellent article!
I run a grass roots charity for homeless, have for about 6 years or so. Agree with much of your article and will post some of it on my blog to share with my readers. I’ll be touching base with the 3 shelters I supply with handmade (knitted and crocheted) items and see if there are any differences from a geographic standpoint. Ohio being so much colder then North Carolina, it occurs to me that might make a difference on what’s good, bad or indifferent to donate.
Toilet paper, laundry detergent, decaf drinks, sugar free. Dry beans , low sodium broth. The thicker meat and veggie soups can be heated and poured over hot mashed potatoes for a hearty filling meal. Gift cards are great for local supermarket or cards for local fast food or take out. Gas cards, bus cards for those in urban areas.
You need to check labels Raisin Bran is loaded with sugar!
Thanks for the heads up, Chris. I believe there are versions with lower sugar content and those are the varieties the food bank workers said they hoped to get.
Most of the food we eat is food we grow on our farm. Is it possible to donate home-canned foods if they are labeled correctly with a full list of ingredients?
as a recipient of food banks/pantries these past few years, it is true that there is a *glut* of some items we just don’t continue to need as much (such as canned vegetables), AND a primary concern has been the *freshness*/safety of contributions. we have received dairy goods and produce from grocery stores that have made us sick due to contamination (whether from mishandling, poor storage temperatures, and or long-expired dates). yes many items are safe after “use by” etc. dates, but PLEASE, individuals and stores, don’t just dump food no longer safe for *you*/purchase on people who just as easily could get sick from the food! it’s not being generous/charitable. (esp. if many of these people, like myself, have compromised immune systems to being with!) thanks for your consideration and care.
and consider that people with lower incomes are also trying to eat foods with greater nutritional content/value than in the past. if you can donate items with lower sugar & salt amounts, please do! or foods that are organic or produced by more “sustainable” methods of farming, thank you! these foods are often too pricey for some of us to purchase, and it’s greatly appreciated when we find items like this available to us!
A few years ago, I was volunteering at a food bank and one of the volunteers told me: ”You know, everbody thinks about giving food, but hey if you don’t have money to buy food for your kids, you won’t have money to buy medication when they’re sick, to buy toilet paper, kleenex boxes, that kind of stuff, you know.” So, ever since, every year, in addition to food, I give: toothbrushes, toothpaste, kleenex boxes, sanitary napkins, soap, medication (Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil) for adults and for kids, etc.
Check online to make your money count the most. I’ve found that sometimes local corporation and foundations will match your donation … This means that your $20 turns into $40 and the food banks can make that money go so much further than you can. For instance, where I live they are currently doing a match, dollar for dollar, up to 1 million!
Your article is wonderful, I hope you don’t mind that I shared a portion of it with my forum members including a link back to your blog. Feel free to reach out if this isn’t okay.
http://community.tasteofhome.com/community_forums/f/29/p/904527/7864343.aspx#7864343
This is really great advice for food bank donations, but people can also donate directly to food PANTRIES and their donation options expand. AmpleHarvest.org has a free, online, searchable database of food pantries across the US. All of these pantries are ready and able to receive donations of fresh produce. By donating directly to the food pantry, you are bypassing the food bank system which requires non-perishable items which are easier to store and ship, and you can deliver fresh food from your garden, grocery or farmers market directly to a food PANTRY where they will be distributed immediately to those in need. You can see what food pantries are near you and desperate for fresh food donations by searching at http://www.AmpleHarvest.org/findpantry. Thanks for this great article! I hope people can give during the holidays and continue throughout the rest of the year when donations slow down!
What great information, Emily! Thanks for passing along.
Emily, I’m going to add another post soon about what fresh goods people can and should send to pantries. Thanks so much for the link.
My local Food Bank accepts produce, dairy, garden grown etc. Not sure that the nomenclature matters, what matters is finding out before you go to donate. I would guess..
The food pantry where I’ve volunteered is always eager to get toilet paper, paper plates, and (especially) paper towels. They are in high demand because they are necessities that can’t be purchased with food stamps.
Please do not donate outdated food. A girl just told me recently that she got sick from something from the food bank.
These days I’m an attorney and try to give back to the community as much as I can, but I started out as a very poor young mother keeping my kids fed partially through these food banks. We appreciated everything, but the raisins, cornmeal mixes, tomato soup, and cheese were favorite items. I volunteer at a homeless shelter and the most popular thing there is plain white or wheat bread with butter. They don’t really like the fancy breads as much (like garlic or cinnamon). Also, chicken noodle soup is always popular.
Our food banks are usually swimming in canned carrots. Not too many people like canned yams, either. Some powdered milk and a can or squeeze bottle of Hershey’s (or other) syrup means the recipient can make that powdered milk taste good (it’s horrible tasting stuff). I have yet to see much in the way of “luxury” foods like pudding cups, gelatin cups, etc., so you might consider donating those in different flavors. Raisins packed in individual boxes so the parent can dole them out to the kids fairly, or boxes of individually packaged chips, crackers or cookies, string cheese if the recipient has a way to store them safely. Instant mashed potatoes packed in envelopes in a box, packets of chili seasoning, taco seasoning, fried rice seasoning, gravy mix and other flavorings that take up little space in the recipient’s bags are also a good idea. I don’t normally donate anything that requires a microwave. Even without a stove, really hot water can reconstitute the flavorings, potatoes and gravies.
Great Info! I never thought about the fact that pop top lids would be better for someone that doesn’t have a home and may be living in a hotel or that EVERYONE gives green beans. So many people are in need year round but the colder months I am sure are the hardest with people trying to pay utility bills to keep their homes warm.
As a current recipient of food stamps (but not for too much longer because my husband is going back to work starting Dec. 11th!!), one of the things that has been hard for us is buying things like laundry soap, toiletries, dish soap, toilet paper, ziploc bags, anything like that that is used regularly in a home, but is not covered by food stamps. Also, there are families such as ours who have special dietary needs. My husband is diabetic and we have to watch his blood sugar levels very closely. I am gluten intolerant. My youngest son is lactose intolerant. It is so expensive to buy foods that tailor to these dietary needs. Donations of gluten free flours, cereals, bread, or almond milk, coconut milk (the kind that doesn’t need refrigeration), can be very helpful.
This is a very helpful article! Thank you for sharing!
If your food bank will take items that aren’t specifically food for humans, consider bags of dry cat food. Many food bank users are elderly, and a cat may be their only companion. And cats, unlike dogs, can’t live on human table scraps — their protein requirements are much higher than human. No elderly person should be forced to choose between feeding herself or her cat, and no elderly person should be forced to give away a cherished companion.
Don’t forget the elderly incontinent! And no, sanitary napkins just won’t do. Kroger carries their own brand of pads in answer to Poise and some of the other brand-name pads, and they are good!
My Girl Scout troop did an annual food drive for the local food pantry where we called them to ask what the top five items they needed were. Then we typed it up on slips of paper to hand out to customers at Wal-Mart. People could then buy the items and give them to us as they were leaving and we took them to the pantry. It was an easy way to make sure people donated the things that were needed most and it seemed like people were more than happy to help, especially since they had some sort of direction as to how they could be the most helpful. We also did the same thing for the local animal shelter.
As someone that used our local foodbank to get through a rough time, I made any food item I could get work, even when I got tired of always getting the same canned whatever. I was thankful and not picky!
However some of the “treat” items really helped with the struggle in an uplfting way. The one I remember the most was a decent razor. Shaving (as a female) was a luxury. I wasnt about to spend what little I had on a silly thing like a razor! So when the staff at the foodbank offered it to me I was ambivelent, but Wow did it feel so good to “treat” myself!
So thanks to whomever donated that razor!
Perhaps cards printed up and attached to fresh produce that is not familiar to people that tells them, what it is, how to cook it and what it taste’s like would help them choose it rather than not. I’d even appreciate that in Fred Meyer!!
If you really want to help a food bank, probably the best thing you can give them is money. Then they can buy the type of food that is the best for the people they serve.
Money donations are always welcomed. If you have a small community Food Pantry that is serviced by the Regional Food Bank (like ours is), time on distribution days is a very welcomed donation. Filling orders, helping those that cannot read and write, translating, or carrying out is immensely helpful. If you donate food, keep in mind the ethnic make-up of your community. Many people do not think about the dietary restrictions of some of the clients, particularly kosher diets.
The best thing to do if you and your family want to contribute…call and ask what they need your to do and be willing to do it.
I’ve volunteered at a couple of food banks. They were operated in very different ways. One doesn’t take food donated by individuals, because it takes extra time, space, and volunteers to store and sort the food. They prefer monetary donations that allow them to purchase several times the amount of food from the food bank suppliers than we can buy from a store for the same money.
The other food bank takes a good number of donated items.
The former has lots of diverse clients from college students to large families to elderly to homeless people. Some clients are international students and some are migrant workers. It helps to have items that appeal to diverse ages and ethnic groups, as well as food that people with allergies, intolerances, or ethical considerations could eat.
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Soap
Deodorant
Lotion
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Flour
Cooking oil
Sugar substitutes ( Splenda)
Tea Bags
100 percent juices
our food bank is also a homeless shelter.
we give sets of “t shirts, underwear and socks
… (wrapped by size) NEW
they are a major hit
we add toothbrush, toothpaste and comb and anything else that strikes our eye at a dollar store or walmart that might be usefull
we also save unopened shampoos etc from hotel trips
Great tips! Also keep in mind, during the winter months there are lots of children whose parents can’t afford a good jackets/hats/mittens. I live in North Dakota and it would be AWFUL to not have these things when it gets as cold and windy as it does here. My university takes a collection of these items every year to give to needy families and I think it is so important.
many times in the past I have had to turn to a food bank for help. I had four kids and a sick husband. Times were hard, and we had no food. Going to our food bank I would be given a can of tuna, a can of beans, a loaf of bread, powdered milk, a cake mix… And almost cry, or maybe I did. How can you feed four kids and two adults on a can of tuna? Here’s what I suggest…cake mix that only requires water, the same for pancake mix, and tape a bottle of syrup to it. Things that don’t need added ingredients like eggs, oil, milk…things they may not have. Large canned meat, large canned fruit cocktail. Pasta and spaghetti sauce in a can that includes meat (99 cents a can), rice, Grits and oatmeal (instant), (they may not have milk for cereal, so cereal bars and pop tarts are good), dry beans. You have to really think about what will go far, feed quite a few, and think about what they may not have that you take for granted…like eggs or milk or cooking oil.
And toilet paper, diapers for older kids, soap to wash clothes, shampoo, soap to take a bath.
God bless everyone who cares enough to help, and without judgement. But for the grace of God…go I.
I understand. I worked for 28 years for a major non profit. I always tried to fix the bag per the recommendations but also having raised 5 children with that thought in mind. Blessings to you and your family.
Our local food bank/soup kitchen is always in need of butter and other refrigerated items. My family is gluten free so when I get pasta and cereal for us I try to pick up and extra for them. I have to think there are probably some gluten sensitive indiviuindividuals that don’t have enough options so hopefully that helps a little.
Better yet, if it is a well established food pantry, give money, they can buy in bulk and buy much more at wholesale prices. I’d rather give money and have my dollar go further.
I read through the list and you should know any reputable food bank will use OLD BAGS due to health restrictions, not sure who told you to donate bags. Well meaning but not a good idea. As for bread it does not have a long shelf life – some bakeries have donated day old product and it does go immediately but the bank must check for mold. You need to check what is available with WIC coupons and if your money is limited buy in another area. This would mean WIC is good for evaporated milk, dry milk, cheese, peanut butter, dairy products. People who are homeless on the street do not have anyway to cook items and one thing that is really good is jerky, snack crackers, some of these type items are carried in pockets and become a full meal if soup kitchens are not available. Also you need to check the dates again most food centers check the dates and for bloated cans. If you would not eat it a poor, hungry person would not either.
Worked for 28 years for a major non profit = you would be surprised what you get and what must be discarded.
I would like to see more quick, healthy dinner recipes. 🙂
Thanks for the feedback, Angela! Good luck on the cookbook giveaway.
Great information!! I never thought about bagged foods not holding well. I would love to hear any meal ideas that are budget friendly and healthy! 🙂
Thanks!
Sounds good, Tiffany. Thanks and good luck with the cookbook giveaway.
Thank you for this list – we had a community gathering at our preschool, and we were asked to bring donations. Perfect timing!
I would say prioritize soap. Check and see if the food bank takes soap products. Soap products of any kind cannot be spent to buy any type of soap. I know Food Finders in Lafayette makes a homemade laundry soap to give out, so they could always use borax and washing soda to make it.
Many major grocery stores offer loaves of bread for a dollar or less…this time of year, couldn’t we all afford to donate $20 worth ot our local food bank?
Something to take into consideration is also the timing of your donation. MANY people make donations around Thanksgiving and Christmas time, but food banks and pantries see low levels of inventory during the late spring and summer months. A call to your food bank or pantry to learn when their inventories are lowest can be very helpful.
Apples and Carrots was started by a couple of high school girls in our church who saw the need for fresh produce at our food bank. Just goes to show that you don’t have to be an adult to make lasting change in people’s lives. 🙂
FYI, diabetes isn’t just a problem with added sugar, it’s a problem with ANY digestible carbohydrates. Some carb won’t be a huge problem as long as the person doesn’t eat more than their insulin sensitivity and production will allow for, but going overboard on nonsweetened or low-sugar cereal and bread will hurt a diabetic just as much as eating sugary food will, because it ALL turns to sugar in the body.
Keeping in mind, too, that a homeless or very poor person who can’t get Medicaid or Medicare (and there are a lot of those) has much less insulin tolerance than the average diabetic, because they can’t get glucose strips and monitor what they’re doing. Diabetes alone isn’t enough to qualify you for help.
Rice and pasta are incredibly cheap foods and if someone really wants to starch up, a little bit of panhandling will get them there. Please go heavy on the canned meats and vegetables, not so much on the rice and noodles and crackers. If someone can get their blood sugar under better control, they’ll be able to handle salt better also. The two conditions are related.
And please, if you’re starting a new weight loss program or a new way of eating (Paleo, vegetarian, etc.), please do NOT dump off all your unwanted “bad” foods at the food bank. If you think they’re bad for you, why would you pass bad food on to someone else? Yes, you spent money on it, but that’s your fault. You aren’t going to get it back by giving the food away.
This was a very helpful and timely post. I’d like to see more like this, and also more info on day-to-day living with food allergies especially when there are multiple allergies in one family so that the common subs (like almond flour or cashew cream) cannot be used.
What a wonderful time of year to bring the community foodbank to the attention of the public. I think the focus is mis-directed. I have always thought of the most efficient way to manage a foodbank is to have a volume of items like dried peas, dried beans, lentils, milk powder, oatmeal and grits,(Not instant) whole grain flour, bread flour and corn meal, sugar, brown sugar. I could go along with the idea with providing pasta and some canned meats, dried eggs and shortening and yeast and a few basic baking ingredients such as baking powder, corn starch, etc. Then also provide fresh vegitables in season as well as fruits in season. Also, have a “test kitchen” in the middle of the foodbank and make it a condition of obtaining food by attending a cooking class to show people how to cook. This seems to be the root of the problem, OK- they might be out of groceries after say, $200 of food stamps runs out (Food stamps were meant to supplement, not totally be relied on), but in my opinion, if people knew how to cook from scratch, their money would go much farther. Here is an example of what could be taught: teach people how to make a simple pizza dough, they can then use the fresh veggies,(sauté) and a small amount of meat to make a homemade pizza, calzone, or stromboli with ingredients they would have fresh. They can also take the fresh veggies, saute, add milk and small amount of cheese with pasta to make prima vera. They can be taught how to make basic breads to include corn bread, muffins, quick breads as well as a variety of yeast breads with little effort. They can be taught to live a healthy life with foods that are not prepared, and they need to be taught to live a quality of life and to strive to get off food stamps, grow THEIR OWN vegitables and learn self sufficiency. OK- what about the homeless? Have the people who qualify for obtaining units of the bulk foods make some in the test kitchen as part of their course and set it aside for the homeless. While it is a noble idea to help those less fortunate, it is important to show respect and provide opportunities for them to improve their circumstances thru educating them about food and how to cook. Society is not helping them by providing canned and prepared foods, gift cards, etc.
I like to donate the 5 lb. box of Meuller’s elbow macaroni. There’s a lot that can be made from that.
Our local food bank asks for things like Tide, toilet paper, paper towels, and toiletries. I also like to take things like Clorox wipes ( or the generic) since that is a two in one type item. Target has a great generic that has 75 wipes in one container and is reasonably priced. Also, when Bath and Body Works has a big sale, I try to take a few items from that.
As a person who never had to go to a food bank I do now since my husband passed away. Being a diabetic most things given from our local food banks I can use. I think the canned meats that were mentioned in the list were a great idea. There are times I have so much rice and beans (believe me I am so thankful for) I’d love to have some Spam, Treet, or some type of dried beef to add to the concoction I try to come up with for dinner. I love tuna and salmon but not everyone does. Canned carrots, canned potatoes, and canned green beans are hard to get here from the food banks I’ve went to but again I appreciate everything I get. Hopefully some day I can be able to give and not receive because it is humiliating to ask when you’re use to giving. God Bless you all for your work!
A food bank my students and I volunteered at would get donations of pet food! Some families would need to feed their cats and dogs- so check with the pantry and see if they accept that. They also could not give out food -canned or fresh that was past the expectation- so when donations came in we helped sort through what was expired and many times there was bread that was good but past the sell by date that needed to be thrown away.
When my mom would make up the bags to donate she would think about what she would put in our lunch- peanut butter, jelly, crackers, bottles of juice, and then add things that could make meals- pasta and sauce, variety of veggies and fruit in cans and cereal and always some kind of snack- like cookies or fruit snacks.
The most useful thing of all to give? Money.
If you do a huge canned food drive at Christmas or Thanksgiving, chances are very good that you are going to overwhelm the food bank’s storage space and it may not even be what they need at the time. They end up having to rent extra warehouse space, which clearly costs them money, plus time to sort the perishibles into usable groups, and then delivering them to their main warehouse when they need it.
Giving money helps in three main ways: 1) They probably have a deal at local stores/warehouses to get food at cost. 2. They can buy exactly what they need (and not, say, more creamed corn or cranberry sauce) 3. They can buy fresh fruit and vegetables.
Thanks for sharing this! I’m planning to link your post in a future blog post on my own blog and will include an edited version for people who want to support food banks while also supporting their own sustainability ethic.
At the food pantry I volunteer at we allow people to chose whatever they want off the shelves. They are given x amount of empty reusable grocery bags depending on the size of their family. One problem with expiration dates not mentioned in any of the above comments is that people will not take them and the expired cans end up taking up space on the shelves that can be better used. We do keep canned goods up to a year past expiration date, but other than that they are tossed in the garbage.
Watch the expiration dates! Don’t foist your expired food off on a Food Bank or group home. They cannot take the risk of distributing it, even if some of us don’t worry about those dates at home. Seriously folks, most charities are inundated this time of year . . . wait and drop your contributions off in January after all the ‘holiday cheer’ dries up. Food banks, group homes, shelters have year round needs! They will smile and say thank you, but it will be more appreciated later.
Love the post. I’m working with a few food banks to help them coordinate with donors so they receive the right mix of contributions. It’s tough. The Fairbanks Community Food Bank had a good idea – when you visit their site, a popup alert notifies site visitors of the items they’ve received and what they currently need. They update it frequently. If you wouldn’t mind spreading the idea, I’ve posted a write up of it here.
Please consider leaving pet food.Whenever Ive donated,Ive always been told that pet food is almost always forgotten and in great demand.
A terrific post! It highlights one of the biggest issues with food donations – food that either can’t be used or is not the “right stuff”- too much of one thing and not enough of another.
We developed a crowd-feeding website designed to specifically deal with these issues. Groups can organize food drives using our website and raise not only the specific items needed by the hunger organization they are supporting but also the specific amount of food. Our site is free to use and we are working with an increasing number of hunger organizations and groups that support them.
Drives can also raise fresh produce and other healthy food items on our site. Our website address is http://www.ampyourgood.com and here’s an example of some of the food items that can be raised – https://amplify.ampyourgood.com/user/campaigns/661/stores
My wife and I are seniors living in Southern Ontario. We have a LARGE garden….. We couldn’t possibly eat all the veggies that are produced there! So, we donate almost all of it to the local FoodBank! The people love the fresh veggies such as sugar-snap peas, carrots, beets, potatoes, zuchinni, etc. (We have to tell people, who take the sugar-snap peas, that they’re best if you eat them “pods & all”. Actually, we think the pods are the tastiest part). Fresh veggies are not readily available, in abundance, in any FoodBank so we know they’re a welcome addition….. they’re “organic” too! The added “plus” is that gardening is great exercise if you’re going to be successful in keeping the weeds down! We’re in the process of adding more fruits to our garden (raspberries are well on their way and we’re going to try our hand at strawberries next spring).
Ive already left a post but something another poster said has got me thinking. I do a lot of couponing and recently received a few high value coupons for grocery items that are Gluten free. I had no idea what to do with them until a few minutes ago. Im going to go to the grocery store and purchase the gluten free items that I have the coupons for and donate them to the FB and Ill leave the rest of the coupons for gluten free products near where the items are sold so hopefully somebody that needs them will find them.
Our local FB’s do not offer fresh produce or fresh or frozen meats. A couple years ago my SIL had 3 plumb trees that fruited while her family was away on holiday. She phoned all the FB’s in our area and offered to bring them plumbs but was turned down by every one of them. The reasons varied; they had no way to store them, they couldn’t be sure if any product (Im assuming insecticides) was used on them, and a few other reasons… none of which made any sense. I wanted to cry watching these sweet juicy plumbs rotting on the ground.
Razors. Please, not the cheapest razors, they tear your face (or legs, I imagine…) to pieces. The Bic ones are fine, though. Don’t bother with shaving cream; soap or plain water does just fine and shaving cream is a pain to carry around if your house is on your back.
Socks!!! Oh, please, give socks!
Similar to the chocolate you mentioned, not a requirment to live with.. but tea bags or some instant coffee ( longer shelf life than ground coffee) Some banks will divide up a large box of tea bags into baggies to let you have a dozen or so of them. Yes tap water is fine but in the winter a nice cup of tea can make a hard situation just that little bit more pleasant.
Dish soap, scrubbie sponges. Sandwich baggies for people who have kids to send a lunch with ( or the underemployed brown bagging it)
Pet food is mentioned, I assume kitty litter would come in handy though for pet food and kitty litter many local humane societies or independant shelters are the better place to get these items.
Knowing the clientelle of the particular foodbank you are giving to helps with your choices. People with access to kitchens etc have far more choices than if you are dealing with a bank that handles mostly transient clients. Meal replacement bars, dried meats, granola, pudding cups, things that do not spoil go very well for shelters where everything someone owns is in a backpack.
Vitamins, painkillers, bandaids, disinfectant. Vitamins, cos people may not be able to get a complete diet, aspirin or similar is low cost, easy to give and can really help, minor injuries can become painfull if untreated. For food, dried beans, rice, lentils, oats or oatmeal, spices. PB and jelly. Mayo, ketchup, Kool-Aid, tea, coffee (instant).
I like to give olive oil, baking supplies (yeast, leavening, flour, sugar, flavorings), tea in bags, ground coffee, spices and dried herbs, vegetarian-friendly items, and canned salmon. When I can give fresh foods, the cheapest organic produce available at the time, butter, and real cheese. I used to be a recipient of food pantry items, so I try to give nice things now that I can.
So smart, Sue. I have heard some posters suggest taping things together as a kit, such as yeast and flour. Thanks for your note!
I really like this list. We’ve also been sending our first grader in with donations for the last few weeks. I tried to get creative and send some Annie’s Mac and Cheese and other meals that were a bit healthier options. I like the idea of sending canvas shopping bags. I always end up with way too many of those in my trunk!
Great article! It was shared on facebook by the Hebron Food Pantry in Attleboro, MA who also asked people to check the expiration dates too.
Honestly most of these items someone couldn’t use, and food banks around us never have pineapple it’s always mixed fruit. When I used the food bank they hardly ever could help with us. You can’t have canned goods without a way to open the can lol or cook them. The same thing for pasta. What food banks truly need are prepacked already edible items and if donating canned goods please use pop top lid ones nothing is worse than having food you can’t open. And boxes are too heavy to carry and since most places don’t offer drop of or transportation many clients walk and carry
When it comes to food BANKS, the best thing you can give them is cash. Your dollars actually end up going further in the hands of a food bank, as they can purchase fresh dairy and produce and other items at wholesale. It also means lower operating costs for the bank because it means not having to ship food all over town from donation sites to sorting stations to distribution outlets.
Baby formula is always a needed item. If you’re not going to give cash, consider purchasing formula from a store where you collect reward points of some kind, because, as formula can be fairly expensive, you can quickly rack up points that can be redeemed for more formula or other much-needed items–again, making your donations go further.
Something else you can pick up at many large groceries that’s a great help is socks. Thick socks. Keeping feet dry and warm can truly be a lifesaver for people living outside.
And then after you take all the groceries to the shelter, go to your city or county council and get involved in helping people get emergency shelter and/or transitional housing. That way we work on both the short and long term solutions.
ESPECIALLY if you live in the South….I’m sure Mosquito Lotion would be MUCH appreciated!
A food bank is not the same thing as your neighborhood food pantry that actually provides direct services to those you described. Food banks are the middle man between corporations and grocery store chains the donate large quantities of food. Food pantries then purchase food from food banks to serve those in need. Yes our space is limited! It is always best to contact your local food pantry to find out the best way to support them. Food bank offer food priced well below the retail cost so many food pantries prefer cash donations so that they can maximize the impact of the donation.
What about donating gift cards from local grocery stores. It’s what I do for fresh produce, and fresh meat. (In Canada)
Great Ideas! I’ve never given too much consideration to sugar and sodium content when donating items, but now I certainly will. I just began a blog myself, pondermom.com, and would love to share your article with readers who are looking to donate to food pantries, especially during the holiday season.
Take toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, dish soap, tissues etc. Take most any kind of toiletries Get your friends to save the small sized ones they get in hotels etc.
Working at our local food bank, I noticed that plain white rice went the fastest. Not the fancy rice mixes that I prefer, and not Uncle Ben’s, but plain white rice (even just simple store-brand) in a bag. You noted that bags may not hold up as well, so there is that to consider depending on the food bank.
Also, the white pasta was way more popular than the wheat pasta.
Talking with many of the people there, I met many who were interested in eating as healthy as possible on their diet and really appreciated the variety of canned veggies.
This is a great list. I’d also encourage people to check the expiration dates of whatever they’re donating. I recently helped organize a food drive and was disappointed that we had to throw out 10% of all donations because they were expired (usually by several months or years.)
As a Type 1 diabetic, I’d like to add that lower carb (not just lower sugar) food items would be nice, too. Most of the food items in this list are likely to increase blood sugar levels. Yes, instant potatoes are better than no food at all but for a diabetic, just barely.
when I was a teenager, I remember having to go to the food bank with my mom. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling having to go I always felt embarrassed. I didn’t understand why we couldn’t go to the grocery store like all my friends did. I wished my mom would have taken the time to explain bills, work budgets. Maybe I would have felt more thankful during those times.
Now I’m older, married and understand money doesn’t go that far. To anyone who uses the food banks, thank you for taking advantage of this wonderful services these communities offer.
It’s just my husband and myself and our two cats. We survive on his income for right now and I do understand the pinched penny feeling but I still want to feel like I can help someone who is truly in need. This is how we help out on our $400 a month we have left over after bills. You don’t have to have a lot to give back.
I cut coupons, use my local grocery stores bogos and I keep one of the items and donate the free item. It’s not costing me extra money and I know it’s something I eat, so hopefully it’s something someone else would eat and since I just bought it I don’t have to worry about the expiration dates.
I have read a lot of the comments here about how can we get fresh foods, and heathy foods out to the food banks? What about “canning” them our selves giving them a longer shelf life. I know glass is a hard thing to want to donate but with these FoodSaver systems what about using these to help. I read somewhere in these comments that a food bank said they could donate smelt as long as they dated the package and it was frozen within 24 hours. Maybe we could see if our food banks would take that. I have a FoodSaver, all it takes to open one of the packages once it’s been sealed is siccors or a knife. Just a thought. Maybe even take it to the next level and make heart heathy meals that just need to be opened and cooked with no extra ingredients needed?
Leah – Thank you so much for your story and your idea here. I think it’s so smart and could really work well. Since I originally wrote this post, I’ve discovered that Food PANTRIES actually do accept fresh foods, homemade foods and perishable goods. Ample Harvest has a really robust website where you can find a food pantry near you, who you could call and arrange any type of donation.
For example, I just spoke with a man from one in Durham who suggested bringing in small casseroles or quick breads). I would definitely suggest calling ahead though; this one worked with 26 specific families and really likes receiving things they can donate to everyone, or at least to several families. So, 5 small casseroles would be better than one complete meal for a family.
Thanks again for your inspiring words!
Hi there,
We are a family of three(including an always-hungry 16 yr old boy) and due to the fact that I am on a small Canadian Disability pension(and my Hubs only has a part-time income), we have regular need of our small local food bank. It is embarrassing and humiliating. My hubs and I only eat 2 meals per day so that the kiddo can have 3 meals and a small snack. While I am TRUELY thankful of what we receive there, I am sometimes amazed at the items some folks think are okay to donate. The last things to get picked off the table are canned green beans and peas, open or torn packages and odd foods with foreign writing on them-who knows what is in there? The most popular things are coffee, coconut milk(surprise, eh?) and oatmeal cereals-even rolled oats are an incredibly nutritious and filling breakfast, especially if you have dried fruit or canned fruit to mix in. It only takes me about 10 mins to cook up enough oatmeal with fruit mixed in, for a whole week of my son’s breakfasts! I just store it in a plastic container in the fridge.
My son just got his first job(at a large fast food chain) and while we are so very happy for him, it will be a real hardship for us to come up with the money to buy bus tickets so he can get to and from there. So could I please suggest that you include bus tickets for students to your very good list noted above.
I would like to thank you so very much for this article and for bringing up the fact that even your neighbours could be needful of places like food banks. Could you imagine having to do this: we had to choose between paying half of the electricity bill(couldn’t pay all of it) or having a Christmas tree and modest presents! We paid half of the bill and have two small presents for our awesome, uncomplaining(genius..really!) son. This is not me whining, it is an unfortunate stark fact of life.
Thanks again for your wonderful article,
Jacqueline
Jacqueline – Thank you so much for your post, for your story. It’s so helpful to know about the most popular things in your area — coffee, coconut milk, oatmeal cereals. I wouldn’t have guessed and this is great for future donations. Also, making rolled oats for a whole week at once? Brilliant. Why am I not doing that myself? Merry Christmas!
My girl scout troop is making birthday cake bags to take to the food bank. They will have a cake mix, frosting, some candles, and some sprinkles. The food bank where I used to live did these. We will supply them in a gift bag that could be re-purposed as well.
Wendy, that’s a GREAT idea. I read in some of the comments about taping together supplies, like spaghetti with sauce, and your idea takes it to a totally great new level. Thanks for sharing!
toilet paper
Hamburger Helper without hamburger is actually pretty useful, and makes some reasonably healthy (moderate fat, but high sodium) meals. Before I learned how to do real cooking, Just Plain Helper was a staple of my diet.
I saw this on a list of the 57 most popular posts. Congratulations! I can see why this post made the list. There is a world of information here. Very informative! It is great to see how many people have such good hearts.
For years in college I volunteered at several food banks that served mostly the AIDS community here. After every holiday season, we’d get dozens and dozens of cans of pumpkin where people bought it thinking of making a traditional pumpkin pie and then didn’t do it. No one ever wanted it. We did get volunteers to make pumpkin bread and spice it to be very similar to gingerbread, but we had far too much pumpkin to use it all. Even when we made it periodically during the year.
The other thing when checking with your local food bank is to make sure that your local grocery stores arent sending bread and pastries there way each day. my girls and I pick up one of the local grocery stores breads and pastries for our local food bank. Just a thought from my experience here in Washington. 🙂
Our family volunteers at our local food bank. There is a food pantry on site that operates one day a week. We are not part of that, but the fresh and frozen foods come only from commercial donations, not from individuals. The food bank carries only shelf-stable foods.
One of the issues I’ve learned is that there are foods sent each week to the local schools for extremely low income families. These foods are often the only ones these children have one the weekend. Small portion items in unbreakable containers with easy openings are essential. For example, Spaghetti-O’s are good, even if they are high in sodium and fat. Small boxes of cereals, oatmeal or other dried breakfast foods are good, along with powdered milk. We can’t send them candy, chips or dessert items because of Federal mandates regarding the foods that can be offered to children receiving reduced/free lunch.
On the other end of the spectrum are the folks who come in with special dietary needs. When buying canned vegetables, it is often possible to purchase “no salt added” versions for the same price as the full salt. Plain white or brown rice is a good choice. In addition to green beans, canned corn is grossly overrepresented on the shelves.
Smaller packages are better than large. We often receive the super-jumbo sized peanut butter. While it is cheaper per ounce, it is too large for someone on foot, too large for a single person living alone, and too large for a small family. Buying smaller containers to last a week or so is a better choice.
Also, at our food bank, certain items are not accepted. We cannot accept infant formula, baby foods, toddler foods, toiletries, paper goods, clothing or pet items. Those items are passed to other facilities.
I have volunteered at several food pantries and in general find the people working there to help others to be very understanding and kind; however, I have personally witnessed negative things which should be corrected. First, people who require specific types of foods or items are often not accommodated in a considerate manner. The attitude of some of the volunteers is you should be happy with what you get. I have told people, if you don’t eat pork, tell the person handing out meat that you prefer anything but pork. If you need toilet paper or diapers, ask because a lot of pantries have those items but don’t put them out. In particular, there are items that come into one food pantry that never are given out to the people, they are kept for use by the pantry and given to only those who also attend their church or if a volunteer needs something they are given to them. I have seen food items, particularly meat, boxes and pounds of meat, come into the food pantry and immediately whisked away and to fill the personal freezer of the head of the pantry who has a large family. I have seen one food pantry obtain boxes and boxes of bread and baked goods and shared with another food pantry held the next day, but when you get to that food pantry very little of those bread and baked good items are available to those seeking help. I have seen one particular pantry that serves lunch to their GED and AA meeting groups, youth group or where they provide a fellowship lunch following church services, where they take the foods acquired for the food pantry to prepare those meals. I have seen one particular church that gets delivery of food from our local food bank and holds a food pantry after church services on Sunday, the problem is that the foods they give at the pantry are what remains after they have taken everything they want. If cases and cases of canned foods are delivered, why then aren’t those foods available to those coming to the food pantry. Where did they go? So in my opinion, there are things happening within the food pantries that are not being addressed by the food banks. If you are an organization with a mission to feed the hungry, if that is merely a guise to obtain food for other purposes…that is wrong. Also, having been one of those going to a pantry for help, and knowing that volunteers are most of the time also people who need help with food where the food pantry usually fills a box and allows them to take what they want…please, please please, make sure that your volunteers are not choosing and taking foods in front of the people who are coming for help! It simply does not look good to people that those working at the food pantry are loading up and when they come through the line, none of those items they saw walking out the door are now available to them.
Five years ago we started our own charity; https://www.facebook.com/PantryPigs, where we collect scrap metal from the community and sell it at the local scrap yard.
We use the money to keep several local pantries stocked in pork and chicken. In these five years, we have provided over roughly 6,000 pounds of meat.
I am on a very limited income. After I pay rent, electric, water, there is not much left for things like kleenex and toilet paper. Those are things most food banks and pantries don’t get. Our local pantry is fortunate to receive ground deer meat from hunters. That comes in handy for those that do have a refrigerator and freezer. Trash bags for those that are outside, it helps when it rains to keep them dry. Baggies to keep left overs fresher so they don’t dry out and get stale. Paper plates and plastic utensils so they feel human and can eat off of a plate rather than out of a can.
I work at the shelter in Denison Tx. We are a small area, but we have the same needs as metro areas. I also help with my Church Food Pantry. I am always posting many of the items you put on the list. Most food pantries in grayson Co have enough green beans and corn to feed an army. Also ad things like popcorn, Little Debbie snacks, tea bags, flour, sugar, mini ravioli and spaghettios. They have pop tops and kids love them hot or cold. juice boxes, crackers, Vienna sausage. Also pop tops. Also this time of year oranges. They last several weeks. Laundry soap is also a plus. Noting big, just a small container goes a long way to having clean cloths.
I didn’t know that food banks can’t take food that doesn’t have a label. I’ll try my best to get some pre-packaged food that does have labels. That way I can donate whatever I don’t end up using.
Very important article. I’m amazed by how comprehensive and detailed that was. This is the solution I was looking for since I’m working.refrigerated transport services
Nice post! Many people also wonder what’s the best thing to donate. Thanks for giving us ideas. Keep on posting!
This is a great guide if you want to donate and be sure that it will help and use by needy people.
Recently I started going to a food pantry that’s run like a free farmer’s market. “Fresh” but otherwise discarded, produce. It’s run by a church. That’s a thought. It’s one Saturday a month.
Good day,
I’m interested in your product for Resale to my Shop in Barbados. Is there a minimum order if my shipping company picks it up? Can I pay with credit card or Bank QuickBooks?
Let me know if I can make purchases and attach your sales sheet or catalogue for my review .
Thank you
Adam Adelson
Adelson Shop LLC
680 214 3494