Reduce Wasted Food By Feeding Hungry People
On this page:
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.
What Is Considered A Non Perishable Food Item
Non Perishable Foods are safe to eat for long periods of time without refrigeration. They are also known as shelf stable foods.
Some foods can last a few weeks to months on the shelf. Others can last for months. The longest last 10 to 20 years or more, such as freeze dried food or military MREs.
Note: In spite of some silly prepper shows might say, it is not recommended to live off of nothing but MREs for an extended period of time. They are nutrient dense, but can be hard on your guts.
A young reporter took the 21 day nothing but MREs challenge in 2016.
He wrote, I would alternate between vicious cycles of spending hours in the bathroom and then not being able to go at all.
Read Also: St Vincent Depaul Food Bank
Describe Your Ongoing Event/ Campaign Or Project
Ensure that you describe your current event, campaign, or project. Ensure your description is clear and concise and include primary details, such as guidelines as well as dates. Moreover, how you begin your donation letter will positively impact your appeal. Thus, make sure you make it unique and interesting.
Don’t Miss: Food Bank In Laredo Tx
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
What Are The Most Needed Non Perishable Food Items

Some of the most useful non-perishable foods to donate would be Canned protein , Canned Soups , Packaged Foods , Plastic Jar Foods .
Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope I have inspired you to start this tradition this year, either with your kids and family or just by yourself! We each, even one person, can make a huge difference in our communities.
Hi, Im Julie! Mother to five beautiful kids, Homeschool Educator, Writer, Handicraft & DIY Enthusiast, Photographer, Thrifter, and Furniture Restorer. Follow along for fun DIY projects creating a handmade home on a budget! Read more about me hereâ
Recommended Reading: Where Can I Donate Pet Food
Also Check: Food Banks In Long Beach Ca
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.
Items You Shouldnt Donate To Food Banks
As you compile your list, be sure to remember that there are certain items food banks are unable to take, like:
- Items in glass containers, usually because the glass containers may break easily and spoil the other donations.
- Opened items, as these cant be served or provided to individuals for food safety and contamination purposes.
- And while this one might seem obvious: expired items. Be sure to check those expiration dates!
Don’t Miss: How To Donate Leftover Food
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
Get Social
Have A Concern? File An Ethics Report
QUICK LINKS
501
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.
Thanksgiving Non Perishable Foods To Donate
Below is a full list of non-perishable foods that are great for canned food drives. The food items on this list have a long shelf life, making them a great choice for food banks.
At the end of this list are also non-food items that many food banks are also in desperate need of. Consider adding these items to your donation list as well!
Here is our full list of non perishable foods that can last for extended periods of time before their expiration date.
Recommended Reading: What Do The Food Banks Need
Where To Donate Non Perishable Food
United Way continues to collect non-perishable food items, heres how to donate
- Priceless IGA – Louisville Road 3170 Louisville Rd.
- Priceless IGA – Russellville Rd 1901 Russellville Rd.
- All 3 Kroger locations Barren County
- Houchens Southgate 619 S L Rogers Wells Blvd. Butler County
- IGA1242 S Main St. Morgantown, KY 42261 Allen County
- Sav-a-Lot 1407 Gallatin Rd. Scottsville, KY 42101 Logan County
- Priceless IGA113 Armory Dr. …
Here are 6 places where you can donate canned foods when you move
- Feeding America Food Banks. …
Dried And Canned Beans
With a long shelf life and high nutrient content, dried and canned beans are smart non-perishable food choices. Canned beans can be kept at room temperature for 25 years while dried beans can last 10 or more years, depending on the packaging .
In fact, one study found that pinto beans stored up to 30 years were considered edible by 80% of people on an emergency food use panel .
Beans are an excellent source of fiber, plant-based protein, magnesium, B vitamins, manganese, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. Whats more, they pair well with most foods and make hearty additions to soups, grain dishes, and salads (
Read Also: Food Bank Volunteer San Jose
Recommended Reading: Maryland Food Bank Howard County
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.
What To Donate To A Food Bank And What To Avoid

So, youre ready to donate food to your local food bank. Thats great! Whether youre starting a food drive or just planning to grab a few extra items for donation while out grocery shopping, there are a couple of things you should know about what you can donate and what food banks wont accept.
What food you CAN donate to your local food bank:
This part is pretty easy. Food banks accept dry and canned food donations. What does that mean? Basically, any food that is shelf-stable or nonperishable you can keep it in your pantry and it wont go bad. And remember, only donate food that hasnt reached its sell-by date yet. Specifically, food banks often need items like:
Thats definitely not an exhaustive list but it covers a lot of what food banks regularly need. Additionally, some food banks accept personal care and household items, since many families struggle to afford these items and they arent covered by other food assistance programs like SNAP.
If youre still stumped about what to donate, just look in your own pantry. Families struggling with hunger often cant afford the staples that we normally have stocked at home. So, check your pantry out and go from there. Even specialty foods like olive oil, dressings, or marinades can be helpful if they dont need to be refrigerated.
What not to donate to a food bank
Where can I donate food near me?
Also Check: Donate Cat Food To Animal Shelter
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
According to this food banks website, 20% of Los Angelenos face food insecurity, and this organization is on a mission to reduce that number to 0. The food bank has temporarily paused on canned food donations from individuals, but theyve provided a list of local Los Angeles-area partners that are currently accepting donations.
To find the best food bank to donate food near you, head on over to this directory. Enter your location and select a radius of up to 15 miles.
What You Need To Know
Anyone can contribute food to feed their hungry neighbours!
If you have a donation of non-perishable food for The Mississauga Food Bank, you can drop it off at The Mississauga Food Bank, your local fire hall, or select grocery stores throughout the city with collection bins.
To avoid waste or The Mississauga Food Bank rejecting your donation, please refrain from donating items past their expiry date, vitamins or over the counter medications , home baked goods, or food prepared in a home environment .
Read through the tabs to learn about other types of food donations.
You May Like: Food Bank Of Iowa Donations
Put Together Your Own Thanksgiving Baskets
You can include any combination of the things listed, or make a basket with an entire holiday meal. There are amazing organizations, churches, and charities, that put together a box of food that are complete Thanksgiving meals. And of course including the turkey, because it wouldnt be a complete meal without the Thanksgiving turkey!
One of the best traditions you can start this year is putting together a care package for someone you love in need or a stranger in your community in need.
Recommended Reading: What Do The Food Banks Need
What Is Considered A Non
Non-perishable foods, such as canned goods and dried fruit, have a long shelf life and don’t require refrigeration to keep them from spoiling….12 of the Best Non-Perishable FoodsDried and canned beans. … Nut butters. … Dried fruits and vegetables. … Canned fish and poultry. … Nuts and seeds. … Grains. … Canned vegetables and fruits.More items…Jan 16, 2020
Don’t Miss: Food Banks In Tucson Az
Where Can I Donate My Turkey In Nyc
Free Turkey Giveaways in NYC for Thanksgiving 2021The Salvation Army Harlem Temple Corps Harlem. Gardiner Foundation Turkey Giveaway Fordham, the Bronx. Reaching-Out Community Services Operation Gobbler Give Brooklyn. West Side Campaign Against Hunger Upper West Side.More items
Dont Miss: Capital Area Food Bank Jobs
What Restaurants Donate Food
For your request “Where Can I Donate Non Perishable Food Near Me” we found several interesting places. Automotive Business Community Entertainment Food Government Health Hotel Pet Restaurant Retail Service Sports Store Your request belongs to the popular category. We picked up some other cool places near you.
Don’t Miss: Food Banks In Hagerstown Md
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.
Contact Us:
Feeding America Food Banks

Feeding America is one of the most prolific organizations in the United States, running food banks and other places to donate food in almost every state. This includes 200 Feeding America Food Banks where volunteers collect millions of pounds of food to distribute to all of their surrounding counties. The organization secured and distributed 4 billion meals last year by sending food to food pantries and supplying meal programs. its goal is to end the fight against hunger in America and beyond.
How to donate food to Feeding America Food Banks:
Visit its online tool to figure out if there is a Feeding America Food Bank near you. Each of its foodbanks has a separate website and information regarding drop-off times and requirements for where to donate food.
Don’t Miss: World Food Program Percentage Donations
Surplus Production And Dedicated Donations
Donating to the Food Banks of Quebec network is a reliable and secure way to dispose of surplus or to make a planned donation through dedicated production. In return, Food Banks of Quebec will:
- Respond promptly to offers of food donations
- Transport, handle, and store the merchandise in accordance with the rules of traceability, hygiene, and sanitation governing the food industry
- Distribute, free of charge, the products received to member organizations
- Administer food-sharing with efficiency, transparency and equity
- Issue, upon request, tax receipts
Food donations can include perishable, non-perishable, frozen items, and other products resulting from:
- Inventory surpluses
Recommended Reading: Food Bank Of Central Missouri
How To Volunteer For A Food Bank
With over 30% of food bank project managers over 65 years old and therefore classed as at-risk, food banks are struggling with a lack of personnel to help deliver parcels due to Covid restrictions. Speaking to the Guardian, Emma Revie said, We are definitely in need of additional volunteers. One of our biggest threats is people becoming unwell and unable to volunteer.
Your local council website is likely to have a page on volunteering in your area, specifying any food banks local to you and if there are roles and jobs available. You can also search using The Trussell Trust website .
Don’t Miss: Food Bank Of The Rockies Mobile Food Pantry Schedule
Potential Funding For Food Banks
Recycling Market Development Zone Loan Program. Food banks may qualify as a recycling manufacturer under the waste prevention category for CalRecycles Recycling Market Development Zone loan program. The loan can provide funding for working capital, daily operating expenses, equipment, such as trucks and refrigeration units, leasehold improvements, such as expanding an existing building, and real estate.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Loan Program. Food banks may also be a part of an organics composting/anaerobic digestion project and the organics infrastructure project may qualify for CalRecycles Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund loan program, which can provide funding for equipment, real estate, and leasehold improvements.
There are additional funding programs that food banks may be able to utilize:
What Is Food Donation
Food is donated with the intention that the receiver of the food does not have to pay for the food. any information it needs to ensure the ongoing safety of the food, regarding both food handling and time limits for safe consumption. because it may be unsafe to eat, even though spoilage may not be visible.
Recommended Reading: Food Bank For Central And Northeast Missouri
Best Practices For Donating Canned Foods
We all want to be good citizens and do some good with the items were donating. Here are some guidelines to follow:
- Donate the items that the food bank accepts. Read their guidelines first.
- Check expiration dates. If an item is nearing or past expiration, the food bank likely wont accept it.
- Examine packaging for rust, dents, faded or damaged labels, or leaks.
- Check foodbank hours to ensure that you dont make a wasted trip. Remember, Easy Donation PickUp will come to you, so you dont have to worry about that if you donate your canned food to us!
- Avoid donating perishable items. It might seem common sense, but its easy to forget that an item requiring refrigeration will not hold up on a foodbank shelf. This includes anything that needs to be refrigerated.
Dont worry, though. Just because you cant donate fresh food doesnt mean that hungry families dont have access to these items through a food bank. Food banks often coordinate with suppliers such as farmers, restaurants, and retailers to source these items.
Recommended Reading: Houston Food Bank Volunteer Duties