For those who want to help out those less fortunate. . . .

[Passepartout]

So, I spoke to people getting food at a food bank and here are some things I learned from those in need:
1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.
2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of.
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
8. Sugar and flour are treats.
9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some.
11. They rarely get fresh meat.
12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
15. Butter or margarine is nice too.
16. Eggs are a real commodity.
17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.
20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.
In all the years I have donated food at the Holidays, I bought what I thought they wanted, but have never asked. I am glad I did. If you are helping a Family this Christmas, maybe this can help you tailor it more. It does for me!

Jim

 

[isisdave]

Jim, this text is all over the Internet, which isn't a bad thing, but it makes me wonder whether it's accurate or just the opinion of someone who has everything s/he needs....

 

[DrQ]

If you donate money directly to most large food banks, they can work with wholesalers to obtain more food/$ than you can donate yourself and many employers will match your donation. The food bank will select what families need based on their experience and bundle it together in packages.

 

[Patri]

There are some good tips in there. I wonder if food banks would want eggs from the public, wondering how long they might have sat out. Same with meat.

 

[geist1223]

We have worked with Marion Polk Food Share in Salem Oregon for years. They do prefer Cash because they can Leverage it and get a lot more. They also work with the local Farmers to acquire fresh fruits and vegetables in Season. When we were more personally involved we participated in their Gleaning. After a Corn Farmer had mechanically harvested their fields the Group would go through and hand pick all the missed Cobs. One Box for your family and one Box for the Food Share. Same for Apples, Cherries, etc.

 

[wackymother]

Our food banks don't accept items in glass jars or bottles, and no meat or perishables. At Thanksgiving they sometimes ask people to donate frozen turkeys during specific days.

 

[bizaro86]

I think it really depends. My father did a day of volunteering at our local food bank, and spent the day going through the unsorted recent donation pulling out peanut butter as they were short and it was very popular.

 

[VacationForever]

I also question the list because it is not feasible to donate perishables like meat and butter.

 

[am1]

Maybe some helpful items but a lot of wrong info. Probably better if it was not posted. Peanut butter is a very healthy and cheap food item. I used to have a spoon full with water as soon as I stopped running. Hopefully the perishable items in need they people are able to obtain another way.

 

[rainbows1957]

I also question the list because it is not feasible to donate perishables like meat and butter.

Canned meats would probably be helpful. Tuna also, I would guess.

 

[VacationForever]

Canned meats would probably be helpful. Tuna also, I would guess.

(11) listed as "fresh meat".

 

[Passepartout]

A quick call to your food bank would clear up what's accepted and what they aren't equipped to accept. Having used such services, I can attest that they have big walk-in coolers and freezers, and will gratefully direct what they get to those in need.

If it comes down to giving 'this or nothing', they'll be most grateful for a monthly automatic infusion of cash. That's what I do.

Jim

 

[HedonisticEpicurean]

Having helped at a few food banks over the years I have been surprised at donations that were often made that had no benefit and could actually be harmful. When donating to a food bank, avoid giving:

1. Expired or spoiled food. - I'm shocked how often this happened.
2. Opened or damaged packaging. - Why do people think these things will help?
3. Glass jars like pickles, olives, etc. - They break.
4. Homemade or non-commercially packaged items. - Your leftovers aren't appreciated.
5. Low-nutrition, high-sugar, or high-salt foods. - Bad for any of us.
6. Bulk items needing special storage or preparation. - Food banks are prepared to store some items.
7. Oversized or heavy items. - Not needed and hard to manage.
8. Perishable items without prior arrangements. - We were told not to accept meat, chicken, etc.
9. Alcoholic beverages. - Unless it was for the volunteers. Just kidding.
10. Expensive gourmet products. - My love of caviar, sardines, anchovies and those Harry & David gift baskets aren't for everyone.
11. Specialized dietary foods. - Storage and taste are the reasons for this.
12. Non-food items like clothing or toys. - We often had people drop off dirty toys which dumbfounded staff.

Like Passepartout smartly suggested, check with the food bank for specific needs and consider monetary donations for efficiency. The food banks were I volunteered loved monetary donations because they could buy what they needed.

My perspective - It is better to give and make a mistake than to not give at all. It is better to volunteer than sit at home on the couch and write forum posts.

I for one really like Passepartout's concern for others. The world would be a much better place with more people like him.

 

[Patri]

1. I eat expired food all the time. But I get why it is not allowed for donations.
5. So? Let the recipients make their own food choices, especially if it was donated. Sure, the food bank won’t buy that kind of stuff, which is fine. Doesn’t everyone crave a cookie or pretzel once in a while?

 

[am1]

1. I eat expired food all the time. But I get why it is not allowed for donations.
5. So? Let the recipients make their own food choices, especially if it was donated. Sure, the food bank won’t buy that kind of stuff, which is fine. Doesn’t everyone crave a cookie or pretzel once in a while?

Sure people crave that but a food bank should be nutritional based to set a good example.

Side notes:

3. Glass only breaks if people are not careful.

10. sardines are considered a luxury item?

11. What are the people with special dietary needs suppose to do?

 

[SmithOp]

I donate cash to Union Gospel Missions, they provide meal services. They can provide a Thanksgiving meal for $2.21. They also have services to help the unhoused get back on their feet.

I think that's better than cleaning out old food in my cupboards.

 

[Passepartout]

Like Passepartout smartly suggested, check with the food bank for specific needs and consider monetary donations for efficiency. The food banks where I volunteered loved monetary donations because they could buy what they needed.

My perspective - It is better to give and make a mistake than to not give at all. It is better to volunteer than sit at home on the couch and write forum posts.

Thanks for the flowers.

 

[Patri]

Sure people crave that but a food bank should be nutritional based to set a good example.

On food the bank purchases, sure. But if treats are donated, why should the bank be the food police? That’s a superior attitude, and demeaning to the poor. Let them make their own choices.
This is moot anyway. Each food bank has their own policies.

 

[Cornell]

Jim, this text is all over the Internet, which isn't a bad thing, but it makes me wonder whether it's accurate or just the opinion of someone who has everything s/he needs....

Yes. -have seen this on Facebook multiple times.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Feed My Starving Children is a great organization to help kids in other countries. It's a great place to donate. When you read their website and donate money, you cannot believe how much you are helping these families for a very small amount of money. We stopped eating out and chose to donate to this organization, and we are healthier for that decision.

We have several local food banks here in our area. We donate cash to the food banks. The Catholic church really helps a lot of folks who need help immediately and cannot wait for welfare services to approve them for assistance.

 

[am1]

On food the bank purchases, sure. But if treats are donated, why should the bank be the food police? That’s a superior attitude, and demeaning to the poor. Let them make their own choices.
This is moot anyway. Each food bank has their own policies.

My guess given the choice people will go for the cookies forgoing the better and probably cheaper items available. Letting people make their owns choices causes a lot of people to need to use a food bank in the first place.

 

[Patri]

My guess given the choice people will go for the cookies forgoing the better and probably cheaper items available. Letting people make their owns choices causes a lot of people to need to use a food bank in the first place.

Here, everything is in bags and boxes, and handed to the folks. They don’t literally ‘shop’.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes. -have seen this on Facebook multiple times.

So Jim would get an F for plagiarism if this was in school....

 

[Cornell]

So Jim would get an F for plagiarism if this was in school....

Well not sure about that. I just think it's interesting as this post on FB is a few years old and suddenly it's been resurrected everywhere. Funny how that all works.