Annual Food And Funds Drives:
Fill the Foodbank! NovemberThis drive-through event supports the Foodbank in our mission to provide nutritious food to thousands of hungry children, seniors, and families during the Holiday season.
Turkey Drive NovemberDonate a bird and help the Foodbank ensure that every family has a nourishing holiday meal.
Stamp Out Hunger May, NovemberSponsored by the United States Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers. Leave a bag of non-perishable food next to your mailbox and your letter carrier will deliver your donation to the Foodbank. *Cancelled this year due to COVID*
The End Hunger Games: A Corporate Challenge NovemberThe Corporate Challenge is a friendly competition among local companies to give dollars, food, and time to the Foodbank and join the fight against hunger. For more information on how to participate contact Senior Development Manager Nathalie Keller,
Food Recovery Partners And Volunteers
NFCC has more than 30 food recovery partners: restaurants, grocery stores and others that collaborate with NFCC to make sure excess food isnt wasted and gets into the hands of those who need it. 80 volunteers that work on our food recovery effort by picking up the food from these partners and delivering it to NFCC each week.
Food Recovery Partners
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.
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What To Donate To Food Banks As Cooking Costs Rise
Life Editor at HuffPost UK
With household bills set to skyrocket in April, food banks and community hubs are already seeing the impact of the cost of living crisis.
In Cambridge officially the UKs most unequal city around 150 households already use the Abbey Food Hub each week, and demand is only expected to grow.
Amid concerns about rising fuel costs, the charitys CEO, Nicky Shepard, tells HuffPost UK that people dont want things that need to cook for a long time. Hub users will choose packets of pre-cooked rice, for example, instead of uncooked rice that takes 20 minutes to boil.
It comes after Icelands CEO Richard Walker told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that some food bank users are refusing to take raw potatoes, due to rising cooking costs.
Its worth mentioning that the people we work with have been struggling since October or before, Shepard adds. For the people were working with, theres not enough coming in to cover fuel costs now. So the increase is going to be devastating for people.
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Limited Liability Protection For Donors
The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996 encourages the donation of food and grocery products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to needy individuals. The Act exempts persons and gleaners who make good faith donations of food to nonprofit organizations that feed the hungry from liability for injuries arising from the consumption of the donated food.
Under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, the following food donation standards apply:
Persons and gleaners : Persons and gleaners, including qualified direct donors, shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of apparently wholesome food that the person or gleaner donates in good faith to a nonprofit organization for ultimate distribution to needy individuals.
Nonprofit organizations: Nonprofit organizations shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of apparently wholesome food that the nonprofit organization received as a donation in good faith from a person or gleaner, including a qualified direct donor, for ultimate distribution to needy individuals.
Donations of apparently wholesome food by qualified direct donors must be made in compliance with applicable state and local health, food safety, and food handling laws .
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Food Banks Feed Millions
We checked in with Scott Baker, the state director of Feeding Missouri, and Jeff Ambroz, grants and research manager at Second Harvest Heartland, for their tips and insights on how you can best support local food banks and food pantries.
Feeding Missouri works with a statewide network that includes the states six food banks, which in turn serve over 1,500 food pantries, community feeding organizations and emergency food assistance programs. Each year, Feeding Missouri helps these groups distribute over 120 million pounds of food. The organization also works to raise awareness, funding and resources for combatting food insecurity. Scott has been working with Feeding Missouri for over 11 years.
Second Harvest Heartland is a food bank that serves 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Its distribution center supplies over 1,000 different program sites, such as food pantries, meal programs and after-school programs. In a single year, they distribute enough food for 97 million meals! As part of their mission to end hunger, Second Harvest Heartland also works to help sustain the environment. Jeff has been with the organization for over seven years.
Both Feeding Missouri and Second Harvest Heartland are part of Feeding America, a national network of food banks and nonprofit organizations all working together to end hunger in America. The Feeding America network provides over 4.3 billion meals annually, reaching over 40 million people in need.
Foods To Donate For Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year for food banks looking to add healthy, non-perishable items to their already in-demand essentials.
Feeding America suggests adding the following items to your donation lists and grocery carts: boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, dry macaroni, cranberry sauce and canned pumpkin.
Although it’s the main dish of a Thanksgiving table, Feeding America reminded interested donors to hold off on including turkey. The Feeding America network collaborates with restaurants, caterers and manufacturers to donate leftover foods like turkey, which are guaranteed to be fresh and safe for families in need.
Similarly, skip sending in any fresh fruits or vegetables since those are highly perishable items. Many food banks work with farmers and corporate partners to help bring fresh produce to families before it goes bad, the organization said.
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What Can You Not Donate To A Food Bank
What can you donate to a food bank? The main thing to bear in mind is that whatever you give may be stored for some time before it goes to those who need it. Avoid things like fresh fruit and veg, fish, meat and dairy products as it might go bad and the food bank is unlikely to accept it.Oct 8, 2020
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Best Foods For Food Donation
Danice Tatosian, Director of Community Nutrition at Food Bank For New York City, told TODAY that what foods to donate or avoid donating is a topic that arises frequently.
Protein and dairy are always a really great option, she explained. Fish, shelf-stable dairy, vegetables and fruit. Fresh is great, but dried fruit and canned vegetables that are low in sodium are good.
Another category is culturally significant food. There is such a huge range of communities with specific needs, so kosher, halal and vegan foods are great to get.
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What Are The Best Canned Food Items To Donate And Other Faqs
What are the guidelines for canned food donations?
Food drive donations must be:
- In the original container with the original product label
- Within the Use by or Best if used by dates
- Free of damage, stains or moisture
- Standard retail food products
PLEASE NOTE: Boxes used to collect and store food must NOT have been used previously to store raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, produce or chemicals. Please store products in a cool, dry and clean area.
What are the best canned food items to donate?
The items most needed by our network of 700 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters are:
Are there any items you will not accept?
The Food Depository is not able to accept the following types of food donations:
- Items that have been opened or partially used including cans, bottles and dry goods
- Products not in their original packaging
- Products missing ingredient information labels
- Homemade or home-canned foods
- Products that have become contaminated
- Alcoholic beverages or energy drinks of any kind
Additionally, the Food Depository is not able to accept the following types of non-food items, though you may contact your local food pantry to ask if they are currently accepting these items:
How can I promote my food drive?
If you would like to use the Food Depositorys logo on any materials you create, please email . Materials must be reviewed and approved by the Food Depository before being distributed.
Do I have to put my food donations in a certain type of box?
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 youre 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.
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Can Expired Foods Be Donated
Expired foods can be donated.We had to say it because not everyone knows it. Food items that are past their best before dates are accepted and appreciated at food donation stations and food banks across the country. Please help spread the word.
Estimates vary, but each and every year a large percentage of food produced for people to eat in the U.S. goes to waste. When we began in 2011 the estimates of food waste were around 40%, wed like to think that people are putting a dent in that number so want to believe some of the more current estimates that have come in as low as 25-30%. Even if they are now lower, its still too high.
You may be thinking: Is it OK to donate expired food?Do food banks accept expired foods? The answer to both questions is an overwhelming YES!!. That answer is even backed by the USDA.
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Donate Food Or Health & Wellness Supplies
We are open and accepting donations, both from partner organizations and the general public! We extra appreciate new health and wellness supplies since this is not something we have the budget for right now.
Please contact our team ahead of time if you are interested in donating either by emailing us at . Thank you!
Worried about donating food? In California, The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects food donors against civil or criminal liability arising from good faith donations of apparently wholesome food. However, we request that you only donate food that is fresh, in good condition, and of a quality that you would personally eat.
Also, as a reminder, dollars stretch farther than cans! We buy our stock from wholesale distributors, so our funding goes farther than your dollars at a grocery store. Of course, we still always appreciate and are happy to receive your food donations when you have them.
Food donation guidelines:
Shelf-stable goods : Must be unopened, unexpired, and in clean condition. Cans must be undented, unrusted, and have attached labels. No home-canned goods please.
Refrigerated and frozen goods : Must be unopened, unexpired, and in clean condition. Must not have been out of refrigeration/freezing for more than two hours. No unpasteurized milk please!
Produce : Must be fresh and stored in hygienic conditions prior to donation. No raw sprouts please. Home-grown or gleaned produce is accepted!
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What Do Homeless Shelters Need The Most
The Best Items To Donate To Really Help the HomelessUnderwear and Socks. Surprisingly enough, these are some of the most in-demand items for people who utilize homeless shelters. Toiletries. Feminine Hygiene Products. Laundry Detergent. Cold Weather Clothing. Reusable Containers. Baby Supplies.Feb 17, 2021
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 Is The Best Way To Donate To Food Banks
Consider cash instead of canned goods. With 38 million people in the U.S. facing hunger, donating your extra or purchased dry and canned goods might seem like the best way to help your neighbors in need. But, the best way to support your local food bank is actually through donating money.Nov 12, 2021
Who Will Take Food Donations
- Food pantries: Use Aunt Bertha to find a food pantry near you that accepts donations. Call ahead to make sure that the pantry can accept your donation and to coordinate how and when it should be delivered or picked up.
- Food banks: Contact Central Texas Food Bank to schedule a donation.
- Food rescue programs like Keep Austin Fed may be able to help with donation logistics.
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Find The Help You Need Where You Need It
Search the map to find a soup kitchen, food pantry, senior center, or SNAP enrollment site near you. Find a free tax assistance site here. If youre an individual looking to donate a small amount of food, the charities below will be happy to accept your donations. If youre a food industry donor or have a large amount of food to give, learn more here.
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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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Donate Food Or Host A Drive
We are accepting food at the following locations and times:
4554 Hollister Ave., Monday Friday, 7am 3pm
490 W. Foster Rd., Monday Friday, 7am 3pm
To host a Food Drive contact our Community Engagement Coordinator
Donate Now Volunteer or Give Masks Start A Fundraiser
Food donations make up around 60% of the food we receive and distribute into the community. Some are large scale donations, some are community-based food drives, and some are individual donations they all make a difference in feeding those in need in our community!
We accept Food Donations of all types, even fresh produce!