Providing Nutritionally Balanced Food
The health and wellbeing of clients is the food banks first priority and our most needed items are the fresh foods required for a balanced diet. However, it is a challenge for you to donate fresh items like eggs, milk, yogurt, or fresh fruit and vegetables! Your cash donation allows us to purchase fresh food so clients can exercise choice in their nutrition and access sufficient portions of nutritionally balanced foods.
At The Mississauga Food Bank, our objective is to source adequate food from the 4 categories of Canadas Food Guide that provides a balanced diet to hungry neighbours. We use financial donations to purchase food in the categories were running low on.
Food We Cannot Accept
We want to ensure all your donations make it to the tables of those in need, so to prevent waste please avoid donating the following:
- Over the counter medications
- Home baked-goods or food prepared in a home environment
- Personally wrapped meats
- Opened food items, or food not in its original container/packaging
- Candy and snack food items in packaging that can easily be tampered with or contaminated
When donating snacks please keep in mind that a nutritious treat is always preferred.
*The above standards are put in place by Food Banks Canada, and are to be utilized by all food banks and food programs.
New Jersey Food Banks To Donate To For Giving Tuesday 2022
The Easton Aquatics club collects food to donate to the ProJeCt of Easton food bank in 2010.lehighvalleylive.com file photo
Its Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving to those less fortunate, annually celebrated on the first Tuesday after Black Friday.
This is a great time to donate to your favorite charity, support a local fundraiser, volunteer at a non-profit organization, raise awareness for a special cause or donate to your local food bank.
Check out our list below for several food banks where you can donate non-perishable food items maybe ones you didnt get to use for Thanksgiving or other supplies, alphabetized by town.
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Fighting Hunger In Our Communities
At The Mississauga Food Bank, our vision is to create A Mississauga Where No One Goes Hungry. We are the central food bank in Mississauga and distribute food for over 4.6 million meals each year through our network of 50+ agencies including neighbourhood food banks, pantries, and meal and snack programs,
Our mission is to relieve hunger in Mississauga by providing and promoting access to healthy food for people in need. We believe it takes all of us to fight hunger and we invite you to fight hunger in your community by supporting your local food bank!
The Salvation Army Hope Church & Community Services
122 Hunt St, Ajax
The Salvation Army Food Bank and Family Services is open for family food service for new and existing clients and those in need during this difficult time.
Emergency Food Bags specific to those without cooking facilities are available.
Please call: 905-427-7123 to register or book an appointment for food pick up
The centre is open Monday Thursday 10 am 12 pm & 1 pm 3 pm
Bagged lunches are provided on Tuesday & Thursday from 12 pm 1 pm
To support safe physical distancing, all pick ups are being facilitated at the back entrance door.
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What To Donate To A Food Bank
While food banks always provide a minimum of three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable tinned and dried foods, what you should donate to a food bank differs depending on where you are – and what food bank you’re donating to.
Typically food banks are looking for donations of food products from supermarkets, such as:
Lots of food banks will also offer essential non-food items , such as toiletries and hygiene products.
However, because the supplies to food banks differ between areas, its important to check with your local food bank what kind of supplies theyre most in need of at the moment. An easy way to do this is to use the search box at the bottom of this page , underneath Items to donate. It will tell you the products and food items that your local food bank is in need of at the moment.
If you are in the position to donate to a local food bank, now is the time to do so, with more people needing their services every day.
The Donation Dilemma Cash Vs Cans
What makes a bigger difference for my hungry neighbours donating of food or money to the food bank?
At The Mississauga Food Bank, we love getting this question. It means our supporters are thinking about how they can maximize the effectiveness of their donations and help as many hungry neighbours as possible. Its easy to enthusiastically respond saying, Whether you are donating food or funds your gifts will help provide hungry neighbours with the meals they need. We are grateful for your support.
However, it also gives us the opportunity to talk about how gifts of cash exponentially increase the effectiveness of donations by contributing to higher purchasing power, increased nutritional quality, and investments in innovative solutions to combat food insecurity.
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Foods Suitable For Donation
Home-Prepared Foods
DONATED FOOD DISTRIBUTING ORGANIZATIONS are not allowed to accept or serve most types of homeprepared foods. However, homemade baked goods that do not need refrigeration to remain safe may be received from DONORS.
Commercially Packaged Foods Not Needing Refrigeration
The donation of commercially canned, boxed, and otherwise packaged foods is encouraged.
Fresh Produce Donations
Food donations may include fresh produce, including home-grown fruits and vegetables. Fresh produce should be protected from contamination and receive final preparation, such as washing and cutting, in a DONOR KITCHEN or licensed kitchen.
Food Prepared in a DONOR KITCHEN
Except for baked goods , DONATED FOOD DISTRIBUTING ORGANIZATIONS may not accept foods prepared in a home kitchen. Instead, foods for donation should be prepared in either a DONOR KITCHEN or a commercial food establishment, such as a restaurant.
A DONOR KITCHEN is a publicly available kitchen in a faith-based organization, community center, or other site. The DONOR KITCHEN does not need to have a health permit, but must have basic facilities such as adequate handwashing, dishwashing, refrigeration, and cooking equipment. It must have a safe water supply, be protected from weather and animals, and be cleaned before food preparation starts.
Uninspected Meat Donations
Food Donation by Licensed Food Establishments
Food Donation by Food Processors
Distressed Foods
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.
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What Food Items Can Be Donated
As a rule of thumb, Villarreal says food banks are looking for food pantry staples that most people have in their kitchens such as grains, pastas, canned beans, cereal, and peanut butter. Guerra adds that low-sodium canned vegetables, rice, and canned fruit are also needed.
There are some items that food banks generally donât take as donations such as homemade items, Guerra says. Villarreal advises not donating items in glass containers as they can shatter during transportation or anything thatâs opened, damaged, or unlabeled.
Keep the expiration dates in mind as well. âMany nonperishable items have a shelf life well beyond their sell-by date,â Guerra says. So, Villarreal recommends using your best judgment. If the item is near its expiration date it should be fine to donate, but if itâs well past the date itâs best to toss it.
Depending on the food bank, some also accept other items as donations. Think of things that youâd find at your local grocery store such as feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, diapers, pet food, and other household items.
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.
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How You Can Find And Donate To A Food Bank Near You
Times are tough right now amid the cost of living crisis. If youre thinking about giving a little support to those less fortunate, heres what you need to know.
Some of the food people donate to a food bank. Image credit: petelovespurple/Flickr
The cost of living crisis means food banks are in demand like never before.
According to new figures from The Trussell Trust, the number of children receiving food bank parcels hit 830,000 in the last 12 months, a 15 per cent rise on the previous year.
Best Food Donations For Thanksgiving And Christmas
While many of us will gather around the table for cozy family meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas, those who are hungry have a different experience.
Many food banks partner with farmers, grocery store chains, and restaurants to deliver perishables food such as turkeys, dairy, and fresh fruits and vegetables at the holidays and all year round. These organizations are true heroes that bring a lot of joy and comfort.
If you have one of these occasions in mind, here are some holiday-specific food donations to add to your cart next time youre at the grocery store.
- Instant mashed potatoes
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The Back Door Mission
MISSION UNITED is open at the Backdoor Mission. The Backdoor Mission is open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.Washrooms will be open all day until 7:00 pm. Other programming will run from 10 am 3 pm Monday to Friday.
All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 testing and linked with assessments and isolation locations if necessary. Visitors will have access to several stations: Take-out Hot Lunch Program & Food Basket Crisis Support and Safe Sleep Medical Clinic for Primary Care and Psychiatric Support Withdrawal Management & Harm Reduction Housing Navigation & Supplies *Registration for the IOTC program at Camp Samac from 9 am to 7 pm daily. Transportation is provided.
Which Items Should You Not Donate To A Food Bank
There are certain items that you shouldnt donate. These include:
- Delicate items / items with glass packaging: these items can break or spill in transit.
- Items requiring additional equipment to open: for example cans that can only be opened by a can opener as not everyone has access to this equipment. Donate easy-open cans instead.
- Alcohol: though you might think youre helping a family unwind on a Friday evening by donating a bottle of wine, most food banks cannot accept alcoholic donations. This includes not just alcoholic drinks, but also any foods or puddings that have alcohol in them, such as Christmas puddings and some mince pies.
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Fresh Produce And Meat Or Dairy
Please consider donating fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat or dairy to Neighbour to Neighbour. If youre at the market or have surplus produce in your vegetable garden or farm, Neighbour to Neighbour is happy to distribute these key nutritional items in our food bank.
Our food bank focuses on providing healthy choices to support better outcomes for our neighbours in need, which leads to better overall community health.
We have large refrigerated and frozen storage capacity to ensure optimal freshness.
Florida: Second Harvest Food Bank Of Central Florida
Central Florida residents who dont want to cook Thanksgiving dinner can order their familys feast from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Floridas Catering for Good. All of the proceeds from the catered meals are invested into the food banks Culinary Training Program which serves at-risk individuals in the community. This year, for the first time, the food bank will also be offering a holiday dinner deal during Christmas. For $135, you can feed up to 10 people and support others at the same time.
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Where To Buy Donations
There is no wrong place to source your donations, and even your own pantry is a good start . Similarly, any grocery store or food warehouse will do.
For this project, I wanted to buy a lot, and I thought that Aldi was my best bet.
Here are the reasons I like to shop at Aldi for donations:
Willow Park Food Bank
Open every other Monday. Next date is April 20th 3:00 pm 6:00 pm
Clients will need to come to the back of the building. We ask that clients have a seat on one of the chairs provided and they will be called to the window when it is their turn. We will be passing their food though a second window. At this time we will not be allowing anyone to enter the building. These measures are being put in place to protect our volunteers. We also ask that anyone who is sick or self isolating to please stay home.
If you require Emergency Food we will try to have some FOOD DELIVERED to you. However it would only be a front door drop off. There can be zero contact with our people. I can be reached at 289-600-2265.
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How To Donate Food
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Hunger is a global issue that is widespread in both the wealthiest and most impoverished nations. Every little bit helps, but there is a constant need for support. Thankfully there are many organizations that make it easier than ever to get food to those in need both locally and internationally. With so many options available, it might be confusing, but really its easier than ever to start donating.
How Do I Donate To A Local Food Bank
The donation process will vary from food bank to food bank. To find your local food bank, Villarreal advises visiting FeedingAmerica.org and entering your zip code into the food bank locator. From there, she recommends connecting with that local food bank. Typically, theyâll have a most-needed list of items of things you can donate.
Financial donations are also welcome at most food banks as are volunteers. âVolunteerism is a huge need at all food banks,â Guerra says. âAnd the donation of the dollar goes a long way also. In fact, with the increase of fuel, most food banks need the dollar more than ever to keep food flowing into and across their local service region.â
Other local meal programs such as Meals on Wheels also rely on volunteers to deliver and prepare meals. âFor many recipients, the trusted Meals on Wheels volunteer who shows up every day with a meal and a smile is the only person they see or speak with all day,â says Jenny Young, the vice president of communications for Meals on Wheels America.
And if youâre not in a position to donate food, money, or time, Davis says helping spread the word about available resources for families in need is one of the easiest ways to support. âNo Kid Hungry has a texting line to help,â she says. âFamilies can text âFOODâ or âCOMIDAâ to 304-304 to find community meal sites for their kids.â
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