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
What To Do If You Suspect A Problem
If you are concerned there may be an issue with your pets food, and you have not noted a recall on the food there are several things you should do. First, discontinue feeding your pet that food. Second, do not throw away the packaging or the food quite yet you will need it for reporting issues. Often the company or the FDA will ask for a variety of information to help them determine if there is an issue and what that issue is. Being prepared to answer the questions below may help speed up the process:
- Exact name of the product and product description
- Type of container the food comes in
- If the product should be refrigerated, frozen or stored at room temperature
- Best by date or expiration date
Places To Donate Food
There are food recipient organizations across the country. The following sites offer tools to help donors find nearby food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that may accept wholesome, excess food.
- Feeding America is a national network of food banks, individuals, national offices, and corporate and government partners working to combat hunger in the U.S. Use the Find Your Local Food Bank tool to locate food programs by state or zip code.
- Ample Harvest is a nationwide effort to educate, enable, and encourage gardeners to donate extra produce to local food pantries. Use their Find a Pantry tool to donate food you grow or buy.
- The Homeless Shelter Directory is a crowdsourced listing for people who want to find and donate food and/or supplies to their local shelter.
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Food Safety & Legal Liability
Food Safety
As long as your excess food was purchased from a licensed food vendor and prepared and handled according to food safety laws and regulations, we can rescue it! Feel free to review our Food Guidelines for more information.
Legal Liability
Donating food is legal and encouraged by the federal government! As a food donor, you are protected under the The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act when you donate food to a charitable organization, such as RLC. There has never been a lawsuit related to donating food. In addition, RLC provides a hold harmless clause in all of our food donor agreements.
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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What Not To Donate To A Food Bank
Tatosian that while the food bank is appreciative of all donations, they do try to avoid certain items.
We dont accept anything in glass containers, because it can break and spoil other food, she shared. We really try to avoid, when possible, candy donations, sugar sweetened beverages soda, sweetened teas, sports drinks baked goods such as cookies, cakes, pastries, sweetened muffins.
For both large and small food pantries, donating spoiled or rotten food should always be avoided.
Cars would drive by and drop bags full of groceries that Id have to mostly throw out open containers, grossly expired food, cookies with some missing from the sleeve, things that were moldy, Foster explained. It was its own full-time job just sorting through it all.
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Where To Donate Food In Your Area
-Deliver to a local agency near you by using our Find Food Map-Please call the agency beforehand to ensure they can accept your donation. Non-perishable donations can also be delivered at our warehouse: We are happy to receive donations at our North Philadelphia warehouse located at 302 W Berks St, Philadelphia, PA 19122, by appointment only.
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Which Foods Can Be Donated
- Pre-packaged foods that are non-perishable and fresh, whole fruits and vegetables that have not been cut may be collected for donation and distribution without a permit.
- Certain foods that require time/temperature control for safety may be donated if both the donor and recipient are food permitted facilities and the food has been properly handled at an appropriate temperature. See Food Donation Guidelines for more details and information on which foods are not suitable for donation.
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.
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Should I Worry If My Pets Food Is Recalled
Finding out your pets food may have been recalled can be a scary experience. Our experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center want you to know that it does not have to be. There are a few easy things you can do to monitor your pets food and what to do if you think there may be a problem.
Here are a few good websites that are kept up to date with the latest pet food recall information. Monitor these to make sure your pets food hasnt been recalled:
- AVMA recalls and safety alerts: avma.org/news/recalls-alerts
- The FDA publishes a list of past and current food recalls, listing the date, manufacturer, food type, issue and whether the recall is ongoing or not: fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/recalls-withdrawals
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?
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Create A Cause Marketing Campaign
Consider creating a cause marketing campaign where youll generate awareness and funds for the Food Banks mission, while potentially increasing your companys sales and demonstrating your companys commitment to its community.
A cause marketing campaign could be donating proceeds from product sales, point of sale promotional activities, or we can help you create another opportunity for you and your customers can join our fight to end hunger.
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.
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Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Banks can be found all over the nation. Although each Food Bank is its own entity, they all work together to serve those that are food insecure and aim to develop struggling communities. They collect millions of pounds of food each year, taking donations from grocery stores to limit their waste stream, from farmers if they have excess produce, and from individuals in food drives. The food banks often provide health management classes and help find pediatric care when needed.
How to donate food to Second Harvest Food Bank:
To find out if there is a Second Harvest Food Bank near you, conduct a Google Search with your area or state name and type in Second Harvest Food Bank. This will aid you in finding the address of the nearest one as well as their individual requirements for dropping off food donations.
Find A Ontario Charity That Will Pick Up Your Clothing Donations & Other Household Items Donations
Donate clothes and other household items in Ontario. Charities such as Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and more will pick up your donations for free.
Donationtown.org is currently integrating all of the Ontario donation pick up charities and service areas into our database. For now, we recommend you contact one of these great Ontario based charities to schedule a donation pick up:
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Start A Fundraising Campaign
Starting a fundraising campaign with the Food Bank is easy, and a great way to create friendly competition between departments, and perhaps, clients of your own. By raising funds for the Food Bank, your corporation will show that it cares about the more than 2 million individuals struggling with food insecurity in our County.
Your corporation may also consider sponsoring a food drive, hosting co-ventures, and/or round-up campaigns with your customers.
How Can I Find A Food Bank Near Me
Most communities have a food bank. The Trussell Trust is the UKs biggest network of food banks, with more than 1,300 across the country. It has a map on its website where you can find the one thats nearest to you, making it easy to donate directly by simply delivering the items you want to give.
Meanwhile, there are more than 1,000 independent food banks supporting communities across the UK. You can find many of them using IFANs interactive map. And online tools like Bankuet and Foodbank App can also be used to find your local food bank as well as discovering what resources they most urgently need.
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Northeast Iowa Food Bank
If you are moving from inside Iowa, or an area near northeastern Iowa, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an excellent choice for your food donations. The food bank serves 16 counties in the region, reaching out to an estimated 47,000 food-insecure citizens. This foodbank provides the food to 200 different nonprofits along with supplying its own service programs. It runs a garden to supplement the summer food it offers to the area.
How to donate food to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank:
Food can be dropped off at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Simply go to the door labeled Food Donations. Check out its site to figure out the most needed items or items that it cannot accept. Northeast Iowa Food Banks address is:
1605 Lafayette Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
Reduce Wasted Food By Feeding Hungry People
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Redistributing food to feed people is the second tier of EPAs Food Recovery Hierarchy. EPA estimates that in 2018, about 63 million tons of wasted food were generated in the United States1. While Americans dispose of millions of tons of food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 10.5 percent of American households – about 13.7 million households – had difficulty providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources at some time during 2019.2 In many cases, the food tossed into our nations landfills is wholesome, edible food.
We can be leaders in our communities by collecting unspoiled, healthy food and donating it to our neighbors in need. By donating food, were feeding people, not landfills, supporting local communities, and saving all the resources that went into producing that food from going to waste.
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Get A Tax Credit For Your Donation
Giving makes good “cents” – and AZ tax credit dollars, too!
We are recognized as a Qualifying Charitable Organization , QCO code 20527, which means that you can receive a tax credit on your Arizona state taxes for your donation, and you dont even have to itemize to receive it! Under Arizona law, you may be able to receive up to $400 or $800 when you make a gift to AzFBN. See www.azdor.gov for more details, and be sure to consult your tax preparer or financial adviser for information specific to your situation.
Another Option: If you are at least 70 1/2 years young, you may qualify to donate from your IRA without triggering tax consequences when you transfer funds directly. Again, consult your tax preparer or financial advisor for specific advice.
How Do Food Banks Work
Food banks normally work with support from the public, who donate non-perishable food at a range of places such as schools , churches and local businesses, as well as supermarket collection points . Then volunteers sort the produce into emergency food parcels to give to people in need. A large majority of food banks also provide extra services …
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How To Help: Food Donations
Urgently needed food: Boxed cereal, canned fruit, canned tomatoes, canned beans, dried beans in a bag, tinned stew, canned meat and fish, canned vegetables, peanut butter, jam, instant coffee, tea, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, toilet paper.
When making a donation to the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank, please ensure items are within the best before period, have not expired and have not been opened.
Drop off at our locationduring regular business hours.
Drop off all year at:
- Freshco 1430 Major Mackenize Drive East
- Jim’s No Frills at Bernard, 10909 Yonge Street
- Loblaws 301 High Tech Road
- Food Basics 1070-B Major Mackenize Drive East
- FreshCo, 9200 Bathurst Street
- Sobeys 11700 Yonge Street
- Enzo’s No Frills 9325 Yonge Street
- Longo’s 10860 Yonge Street
- All Firehalls in Richmond Hill