Can I Donate Toiletries To Food Bank
You can donate toiletries to most food banks but it’s worth checking on the local food bank website beforehand. The Trussell Trust recommends the following:
You can also donate household items, feminine hygiene products, and baby supplies too:
- Household items laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid
- Feminine products sanitary towels and tampons
- Baby supplies nappies, baby wipes, and baby food
- Face masks and hand sanitiser
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.
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.
You might be wondering what items to skip when donating. Taste of Home recommends what to not donate to a food bank, and that would be, junk food, items with glass or cellophane packaging, which can be broken in transit, things that need can openers or special equipment . Feeding America also mentions things not to donate to a food bank: items needing refrigeration, expired food, leftovers, food with packaging concerns, and baked goods.
Donations Sought For Roseland Food Pantry
ROSELAND The boroughs food pantry is seeking donations of various items, including food, beverages, paper products, and health products.
Residents who have non-expired, shelf stable food items they would like to donate to the boroughs food pantry may call the borough at 403-6850 and ask to speak to donation coordinator Pat Nichols. Smaller portioned donations and food that would appeal to the senior population 80 percent of food pantry users are greatly appreciated.
Please ensure items are in English or have enough English that the product can be understood by the food pantry recipient.
Current items in need include:
Assorted household cleaning and sanitizing supplies, such as sprays, wipes, Brillo pads, dish soap, hand soap, Comet, etc
Laundry detergent and fabric softener
Paper plates various sizes
Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins and tissues
Fruit cups
Tomato sauce in plastic containers
Diced/crushed tomatoes
Breakfast/nutritional drinks i.e. Ensure, Boost
Small boxes of cereal i.e. Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Special K
Snack food crackers, popcorn, pudding cups, saltines, Jell-O, no-bake desserts, etc.
Progresso and Campbells Soup cans
Small cans or plastic containers of vegetables peas, carrots, green beans, creamed corn, mixed vegetables, sauerkraut, zucchini
Small cans of ginger ale and root beer no liter size jugs
Diapers size large for adult male
Rice and rice sides
Cooking oil
Also Check: Lake County Il Food Bank
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.
Also Check: Food Bank Central And Eastern Nc
What Impact Means For Charitiesand For Your Donations
Some charities create a lot of change with the donations given to them. Others have almost nothing to show for the money coming from donors, says Greg Thomson, director of research at Charity Intelligence , a non-profit that helps Canadians make informed giving decisions.
Indeed, there are charities that can take a $100-donation and turn it into nearly $700 worth of value for the people it supports and society at large. For example, a charity that helps at-risk teens could provide a sizable financial benefit to the youth who use its programs , as well as to the greater community through costs savings to the public health-care and shelter systems.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are charities that destroy value, perhaps producing just $40 worth of measurable change from the same $100-donation because of spending too much in relation to the benefit they create. For example, charities that grant wishes to critically ill children often spend upwards of $25,000 per child, but the value provided to the child and their family is much lower, says Thomson.
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.
Also Check: Donating To Local Food Banks
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 .
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.
Read Also: San Fernando Valley Food Bank
During This Pandemic The Best Thing To Donate To A Food Bank Is Money
First, a food bank isnt the same thing as a food pantry. A food bank is a non-profit organization that stores food in large warehouses. Food banks regularly deliver this food to food pantries and other community distribution centers, where the food gets passed out. When you donate food or money, you generally donate to a food bank, which then distributes to local food pantries where food gets handed out.
At this point in the pandemic, most food banks are accepting food donations, so donating certain food items is great. Frankly, though, what food banks need most is money. Because food banks have direct relationships with food suppliers, they pay less for food than you do at the store. Your dollar literally goes further when you give it straight to a food bank instead of using it to buy food that youll donate. This is true all the time, not just in the midst of a global pandemic.
Of course, COVID-19 has brought new challenges to food banks. Feeding Americas COVID-19 Response Fund goes directly to food banks across the country who are spending more money than usual to operate as safely as possible. You can donate here.
Donating Cash Is Also Acceptable As It Helps The Food Pantry To Cover Whats Missing
Image credits: PunkyMantilla
Another good point the Twitter user raised was the donation of money. Sometimes people, instead of donating food items, simply give charity in the form of cash. And thats okayor maybe even more than that. Food banks and pantries sometimes have discounts when it comes to certain food items, meaning they would get more for their money than your average person. That doesnt mean we should all start throwing money at this problemevery donation helps, be it some food, a bar of soap that you know you wont use, or even a ready-to-bake cake mix for special occasions. Sharing is what matters!
Read Also: San Diego Food Bank Volunteer
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.
Why Is Giving Money More Efficient Than Donating Food
When you donate to end hunger, Second Harvest Heartland combines your dollars with donated, rescued and wholesale-purchased food from grocery stores, farmers, restaurants, retailers and other partners. This multiplies your gift to make the biggest impact. Your financial donation makes it possible for our robust team of volunteers, warehouse workers and truck drivers to sort, re-package and distribute over 120 million pounds of food to nearly 1,000 food shelves and other local agency partners each year, who put it directly in the hands of families in need.
Learn more about how to make a financial contribution.
Read Also: San Antonio Food Bank.org
What Can I Do With Unopened Formula
USDAs Food and Nutrition Service recommends WIC clinics dispose of unused, returned WIC infant formula in accordance with state and local health and safety laws. FNS does not recommend donating unused, returned WIC infant formula to entities such as food banks or food pantries. This approach ensures safety.
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.
Recommended Reading: Free Store Food Bank Cincinnati
Items To Donate To Your Local Food Pantry
1. Canned Meats: Donate meats bought in quantity from your local wholesale club. Goodness knows it’s usually too many cans for one family, so split the pack of tuna, salmon or chicken with the food pantry. Canned beans or canned hearty soups and stews are another option.
2. Peanut or Almond Butter: Nut butters have one of the longest shelf lives of foods and can be a great protein replacement for needy families.
3. Dried Goods: Dried pantry staples like oats, rice and pasta are also welcome donations.
4. Baby Foods and Supplies: Baby foods, formula and diapers are high demand items at pantries and shelters.
5. Kid Snacks: Healthy snacks like granola bars or fruit cups are great for families with kids receiving assistance.
6. Condiments and Spices: Ketchup, mustard, mayo and various spices may seem unnecessary, but many healthy sauces can be made from these condiments and can make food taste better.
7. Personal Hygiene Products: Toothpaste, toilet paper, soap feminine hygiene products and deodorant aren’t food, but they’re necessary for life and particularly for finding or keeping a job. Donate bulk or excess hygiene items to your local food pantry.
Best Food Items To Donate
The best items to donate are non-perishables that last a long time.
These include:
- Canned goods: soup, tomatoes, beans, canned fruits and vegetables, chickpeas, etc.
- Long-lasting drinks: UHT milk, fruit juice, as well as tea bags and coffee.
- Food cupboard items: pasta, rice, cereals, lentils, beans and pulses.
- Spices: these are great to donate as they last a very long time and add flavour to any meal.
Recommended Reading: Community Food Bank Of Eastern Oklahoma
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.
Food And Meals Are Not The Only Items You Can Donate Hygienic Products Are On The List As Well
Image credits: PunkyMantilla
If you are struggling, food is obviously a much-needed commodity. But sometimes, there are items that can be just as crucial. Of course, these usually are hygienic products, something that often slips our minds when we think of food banks. However, everything from soaps to dishwashing liquid to diapers would also help people in need. After all, those who are suffering in these hard times likely have sparse income, so everyday essential items might be out of reach to some of them.
Read Also: Can You Donate Dog Food To Shelters
Most Needed Food Bank Donations
Most food pantries have an overabundance of things like corn or beans. This year donate things like peanut butter or canned tuna or chicken.
While food banks are in major need of donations, especially around the holidays, there are some foods that are more helpful than others. Clearing out your pantry of unwanted items might help you reduce clutter and allow you to make a donation, but if you dont want some strange can of food chances are a food pantry wont benefit from it either. Some of the most needed food bank donations are often the most forgotten. Make your donation a little more beneficial this year with items like:
Consider donating items that are appropriate for several age groups like instant oatmeal or various canned fruits and vegetables.
Peanut butter & jelly Full meals in a can/box Instant breakfasts Instant mashed potatoes
Food pantries are in dire need of foods for varied diets. High-protein items that can be created into balanced meals for people of all ages are in demand. While any donation is appreciated, food pantries want to be able to provide a good source of nutrients for individuals and families.
Add value to your donation this holiday season. Dont donate anything you wouldnt be happy to feed your family.
Food For Me: Citizen Action For Community Food Recovery
Originally prepared by C. Joyce Kleffner, Extension educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Revised and updated by Kate Yerxa, Extension educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu. Find more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu/publications/.
Take this chart with you when you go grocery shopping to help you choose healthy foods to donate to the food pantries, or use it to help you organize a community food drive.
Check with your county University of Maine Cooperative Extension office for a listing of pantries or food assistance programs in your area and accompanying donation information, or visit the County Search for Food Assistance Programs on the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources website.
If you want to donate fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables or other perishable food items, please call the food pantry first to be sure they can accept them. Keep these items refrigerated or frozen to keep them safe.
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