List Of Non Perishable For Food Banks Food Donation Programs
When looking for food donations for food banks, non-perishable ones are an excellent choice. Just like what you would usually stock your pantry with, this type of food is highly recommended by food banks because theyre convenient, has a long shelf life, and easy to consume.
Some foods can last for a few weeks to months, while others can even last for years. Moreover, they dont require refrigeration but must be kept cool and dry.
Non-perishable items are also essential in emergency situations, which is why theyre favored by many charitable organizations. Although some items like macaroni and cheese are packed with preservatives and other unhealthy ingredients, there are still non-perishable items that are available today.
Knowing what types of non-perishable items are beneficial to food banks will make your donations matter more. So, dont just grab anythingcheck if they can help feed families and improve their health as well.
Looking For A Convenient Place In Your Neighborhood To Drop Off Your Food Donation To The Food Bank All San Antonio Area Goodwill Stores And Donation Centers Have A San Antonio Food Bank Red Barrel For Your Non
For questions regarding individual and group food donations, please contact:
FOOD & FUND DRIVE COORDINATOR
Contact Us
5200 Enrique M. Barrera PkwySan Antonio, TX 78227210.337.FOOD 210.337.3663 info@safoodbank.orgMonday-Friday | 8 AM – 5 PM
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The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501 non-profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to more than 500 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security.
Privacy Statement
The San Antonio Food Bank values the privacy of our donors and does not copy, reproduce, publish, post, distribute, share or sell, the name, personal contact information or description of donors to any outside individual or business. Exceptions are those required by law, requested in grant applications or in connection with bank credit or debit card transactions made with prior knowledge or consent of the donor.
What I Didnt Know About Food Banks
These are the top priorities for the food banks I spoke with in my area. But there are still plenty of other things to giveand keep in mind whats needed here might vary from your area, and definitely from season to season.
What have you given thats gone over well? Please add your suggestions below.
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Whats In A Food Parcel
Weve worked with nutritionists to make sure that the food parcels supplied by food banks in our network contain at least three days worth of nutritionally balanced meals for individuals and families. These emergency food parcels are not designed to meet long-term need thats why food banks also offer additional support like debt advice where possible.
A typical food parcel includes:
Food banks will also provide essential non-food items like toiletries and hygiene products where they can.
What Are Our Critical Needs Items

- Fruits: Canned fruit , dried fruit, 100% fruit juice
- Vegetables: Canned vegetables , 100% vegetable juice, spaghetti sauce
- Grains: Rice, pasta, crackers , ready-to-eat cereal , oatmeal
- Protein Foods: Canned meat/poultry, canned tuna/salmon , canned/dry beans & peas , peanut butter
- Dairy/Dairy Alternatives: Nonfat dry milk, evaporated milk, soymilk
- Meals: Beef stew, canned soup , chili, other canned meals
- Other: Nutritional drinks
- Baby Food: Must be in complete, undamaged original packaging. No individual serving glass or plastic containers unless in an unopened case.
- Non-food Items: Diapers, toiletries . Must be unopened and stored separate from food donations.
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Food Banks And Pantries
A list of local food banks, community kitchens, shelters, and food pantries serving their region, city, or community. This directory is shared and maintained to help you learn more about ways to donate, volunteer, or get involved and make a positive difference for food justice. All of these food banks are actively operating and serving people …
The Best Items Your Food Bank Needs The Most
It is that time of the year where we get to start thinking about what delicious foods we will gather around whilst talking with those who we hold closest to us. Have you ever thought about how all of us have one particular thing in common that unites us all? We want to say that it is food. However, some people in our communities do not have the access to such items to make meals for themselves as well as their families. So, you might be wondering what to donate to a food pantry? We are here to help answer that question.
To begin, The Gateway Region YMCA is a nonprofit, 501 charity dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors. We believe in giving back to our communities who do so much for us! In an attempt to give back, we encourage not only our Y members to give back, but also those people who reside in our communities. When you give back to food banks in your area, that action gives back directly to your neighbors, and makes an influence greater than we will ever know. After all, some people who attend food banks are going through hard times and might be ashamed to otherwise ask for assistance. You are not only helping out strangers but potentially friends and family, too.
Links:
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Your Food Donation Provides Nourishment And Hope To Our Hungry Neighbors
- Peanut Butter, 16 oz not mixed with other items like jelly, honey, chocolate
- Canned Fruit, 14-16 oz
- Shelf-stable Milk, 8 oz not flavored with chocolate, vanilla, strawberry
- Canned Tuna, 5 oz
- Low-sodium Canned Vegetables, 15-16 oz
- Trail Mix, 1-2 oz bags
Please do not donate any items in glass containers
We Delight In Serving Our Joy Is In Giving
In 2015, amidst a crisis, a group of friends experienced this profound truth: God is always with us.
Gods grace and mercy were abundantly ours, extended to us through friends, family, and the kindness of strangers. Buoyed by this support, we greeted dark days with gratitude and turned our focus outward. Indeed, our healing came from helping others, from sharing the good things with which God has blessed us.
We immersed ourselves in cooking, teaching, offering encouragement, converting houses to homes, and connecting with God’s green earth to feed others fresh food. These were service projects that had been the source of joy for us before. Indeed, God brought us through the storm . . . and put us right where we were meant to be.
This is the spirit that launched our nonprofit in 2016 and that continues today, with God’s love ever unfolding and expanding.
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Hosting A Food & /or Fund Drive
Hosting a food & fund drive is a great way to support the 410,000 Utahns facing hunger.
Thank you for your interest in hosting a food & /or fund drive to benefit Utah Food Bank. Food drives that collect 500 lbs. or more are eligible for Utah Food Bank transportation services for supplies and food pick up. Please arrange to have your donations ready for pickup in a centralized location on the first floor of your building. If there is a large amount of food, we appreciate having someone from your organization available to assist our driver.
If you have questions about food drive registration, please contact our Food Drive Coordinator at 887-1266 or . Many of the answers to your questions may be found in our Food Drive FAQs.
Please note: in order to receive supplies or transportation, we require a food drive to be registered one week prior to the start date.
We request that food donations meet the following criteria:
- All natural ingredients
- No high fructose corn syrup
Most needed food items:
- Other Boxed Meals
How To Use The Map
Type in your address and select the days that best fit your schedule. You can narrow or expand your search by selecting travel distance. Before visiting a distribution site, please review each sites description, which lists the types of food provided, eligibility requirements, closures and helpful tip information.
Food Bank ID Cards Some food pantry sites listed on the map have Food Bank ID Cards available to help make food pick up simpler and quicker. The Food Bank ID cards allows those in need of food assistance to easily access many of our food distributions with the need to only register one-time. You can register for a Food Bank ID Card during your first visit at the sites who have Food Bank ID Cards listed under Helpful Tips.If you are a senior , please click the toggle button to show Senior Food Program sites, which are marked as red pins on the map. To start a new search, click on the green Reset button. If you need help with the map or have any questions about the distributions, please call the Food Bank at 1-866-350-3663 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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What Kind Of Food Pantry Items Should You Donate
Food banks usually accept dry and canned foods. Any non-perishable food can be kept in the pantry for a long time without going bad. Keep in mind that you donate food that has not reached its expiration date yet.
Food items like peanut butter, pasta, canned soup, canned fish, canned beans, and canned vegetables are the best options to donate. Foodbank and clients regularly need such items. Some foodbanks accept other household items as well. You should check your local food bank to get recommendations specific to your area. However, a general list can be made:
- Serials and oatmeal
Food banks or food pantries are non-profit organizations, so they depend on peoples generosity to provide food for the weaker sections of society. Some food pantries accept fresh vegetables and food, but canned types are always preferred when it comes to food pantry items. You should donate powdered milk instead of milk because it is easy to transport. Grain products are usually considered the best choice for donations.
Some foodbanks also accept many non-food items like toiletries . Whenever food banks require donations, they call for it. If you are willing to donate, you should always check different food banks online websites to get notified.
Combat Hunger With Healthy Food

Amid the pandemic, one in seven Americans is relying on food pantries, soup kitchens, and the like to survive. Our nation is in dire need, not just for food but for HEALTHY nonperishables that are hard to come by in overwhelmed food relief centers.
Over the last four years, our Think Before You Donate campaign has taught millions the best nonperishable foods to give to heal the hungry . . . and why healthy food matters so much.
Weve also got some big ideas and fresh updates for this initiative COMING SOON. Check back on this page often to make sure you dont miss anything!
More than 23.5 million Americans live in food deserts*, in which there is not a supermarket nor do they have transportation to get to one. Indeed . . .
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Black Americans have half and Hispanics one-third the access to chain supermarkets that white Americans do.
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These communities rely on convenience and fast food. Theres a general lack of access to fresh produce and healthy foods, and when people can find them theyre rarely affordable. Over time, this makes them more susceptible to heart disease, obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and hypertension. Poor nutrition also weakens brain functionin adults and children.
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These diseases and comorbidities are all associated with higher rates of hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19.
We must help extend healing and nutrition to our neighbors.
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Monetary Donations For Food Pantry Items
You can also donate money so that food banks can operate well. The money you donate is used for various operations such as infrastructure, marketing, staff support, and ongoing supplies.
Money helps them to cover the cost associated with building the pantry in new locations. They also need to give salaries to people that work in the pantry like the food pantry coordinator and different volunteers. Money is also used for marketing services to get the word out into the community.
We would advise you to include another essential item- a can opener. The people who depend on food banks for food do not have can openers. It will become difficult for them to open the cans they are given.
So, the next time you go grocery shopping, consider buying a can opener so that it becomes easier for the receiver of your donation to eat what they are given.
Cooking essentials like spices, salt, pepper, or garlic powder should also be donated. These help in making a meal taste good. Even if you dont have a baby in your house, you should consider donating things for a baby like diapers, baby food, etc. it will make it easier for families that face economic problems to raise their babies.
You will also find meals in the box in the market these days. This is an excellent option if you want to donate food pantry items. The food bank would happily accept an entire meal in one package.
The Best Foods For Food Donations
- Rowan University
- Wine School of Philadelphia
There are a lot of food drives during the holidays. What food banks need most is cash, but when the Scouts come knocking at your door collecting food or you’re asked to bring a non-perishable item as entrance to the schools holiday concert, food is in order.
NPR did a piece on the types of pantry staples that can help those who rely on food banks to build healthy meals. Food banks say the focus should be on on whole, unprocessed or minimally processed foods to help people create healthy meals. Instead of donating foods that are high in salt, sugar and highly processed grains, bring foods that are high in protein, healthy fats and whole grains instead.
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The Best Things To Donate To A Food Pantry Are
More than ever, Americans are depending on their communitys social services to make ends meet. Stagnant wages and outsourcing of jobs overseas is causing economic instability for many. When unemployment assistance runs out and the heavily-slashed food stamps program cant cover a familys needs, many turn to food pantries in their neighborhoods.
If you want to donate to your local food bank in a way that makes a huge difference, purchase items that are always needed and short on supply.
What Food Banks Need
Its best to check your local food bank to get area-specific recommendations , but heres a general list of items that most food banks need:
- Healthy cereals and oatmeal
- Bags of potatoes or apples
- Kids snack items
- Jars and pouches of baby food
- Personal hygiene products, like sanitary pads
- Toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, lip balm
- Canned fish and meat
- Canned vegetables and fruit
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Need Food Call: 5197435576 Ext 340
For emergency food assistance, visit on one of the community programs and agency partners listed on the Community Food Assistance Network map.
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region supports the Community Food Assistance Network a system of 100+ community programs and agency partners and does not provide food from our location.
If you are unable to access a program and require delivery, call: 519.743.5576 ext. 340.
Click here for after hours supports and resources, such as emergency childcare, animal care services and mental health.
For more information about what to bring with you, read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Hunters And Meat Processing
HUSH, or Help Us Stop Hunger, reduces Iowas deer population and provides high-quality ground venison to Iowans facing hunger through food banks. Hunters can donate legally harvested deer through participating USDA meat lockers. If you have any questions, please email or call 515-725-8265.
Processing your own pork, beef or other meat? We welcome donations processed in a USDA-inspected locker. Your locker will be able to tell you whether they meet these requirements.
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List Of Food Pantry Items For Donations
If you wish to donate food to fight hunger, you should check what local food banks require to not burden food banks with the food items that take up a lot of space or are not required. You will find food pantry items that you should donate to food banks in this article.
You need to remember that food banks clients may suffer from various health issues like diabetes, so foods with high fiber or low sugar are better than processed foods. You can also start a food drive instead of donating food to a food bank. No matter which source of donation you choose, there are certain things you should keep in mind before donating anything.
Most Needed Food To Donate To Food Pantry

Meal kits that don’t require extra ingredients.
Kits that include canned meat, canned sauce and pasta all in one box are great choices. This means the person receiving them can make them without having to purchase additional ingredients.
Pancake and muffin mix that only require water.
Special treats or easy breakfasts are much needed and appreciated, and one of the simplest is pancake or muffin mix that only requires you to add water. Mixes which require additional ingredients, such as oil or eggs, sometimes make it more difficult for a person or family to actually make the food item.
Canned soups and pasta meals.
Soups or even canned ravioli or pasta meals that don’t require anything other than a heat source to eat are excellent for those who have limited resources, including sometimes not a very well equipped kitchen. There are many places recipients of these donations may be able to heat up these types of meals, and many kids love them and it can provide a filling warm meal.
Canned meat.
Variety of canned fruits.
Statistics say that food pantries really need more canned fruit. They often get fruit cocktail and pineapple, but peaches, pears and even cherries or tropical fruit blends would be welcomed.
Fresh produce.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes and similar are always welcome at any food pantry and rarely donated.
Allergy friendly food options.
Basic staple pantry items.
Shelf stable milk.
Juice boxes.
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