This article from Foodlets has a list of items that most food banks want. I've edited the list to help fit with my own ethic of healthy eating, animal welfare, and environmental concerns:
- Canned vegetables
- Canned fruit without added sugar
- Dried fruit
- Boxes of rice
- Boxes of pasta
- Peanut butter
- Quick oatmeal
- Quick grits
- Canned beans
- Canned pasta sauce
- Commonly used spices and dried herbs
- Sliced bread
- Bags of applies (organic)
- Bags of potatoes (organic)
- Diapers, toiletries, and feminine hygiene products
While my list is far from perfect, I tried to edit items I thought were the worst offenders as far as foods that involve inhumane treatment of animals, contain an over-abundance of chemicals, or have bad-for-the-planet packaging. While I don't like disposable diapers, I also know that many low-income parents have neither the facilities nor the time to wash and dry cloth diapers and, if they have to send their child to daycare, they usually require disposable diapers.
If you're interested in donating to a local food bank, you might want to just give them a call to see if they have specific needs.
3 comments:
Cherie, we have several food banks in my city. This time of the year brings a special drain on the food banks. Many schools and other organizations promote food drives to help the need. Everyone can usually give up a couple cans of something. Even the grocery stores have food baskets set up for those that can buy a couple extra cans of some thing to put in the basket while doing their regular grocery shopping. Here in the Midwest the spirit of helping others in need is still alive especially during the Christmas season. Great post reminder of those that can use a hand up.
Have a great Christmas season day.
The Quaker Meetinghouse has a pantry for the homeless people in the neighborhood who know that they can get a can or 2 from us. A memo had to go out last year about keeping in mind that most people who use the pantry are homeless, without a kitchen or utensils, emphasizing pup tops, pull tops, pouches because people were bringing in bags of pasta & items requiring a pot & a stove, etc.
One year for Christmas I asked for people to buy extra food and drop it into the food bank bin at their local grocery store in lieu of a gift. My request was met with dropped jaws and my then boyfriend telling me I can't ask for that.
Shona, I've tried the "give to charity" response, too. It baffles most people. Funny how as the richest country that ever existed, where we pretty much get what we want when we want it, we still feel this need to have people give us more stuff.
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