Our law firm at Kraft & Associates is doing a food drive in conjunction with the North Texas Food Bank, so an article at Foodlets.com caught my eye. A section of the article listed items that food banks need most. If you are helping with our food drive, or if you are having a food drive of your own, please read the article. Here is an excerpt:
Storage space is often in short supply at food banks, so prioritization is key.
- Canned meats: Think beyond tuna & soup, which food banks get tons of. Instead go for canned beef, canned ham, canned chicken, canned salmon. Or hearty ready-to-go meals like beef stew and chili with meat.
- Canned vegetables: Everyone donates green beans. Instead, give potatoes, carrots, spinach, peas or any other veggies your family likes.
- Canned fruit: Not pineapple. This is the most commonly donated fruit. Any other fruit, particularly those in fruit juice without extra sugar, would be great. Dried fruit works too (raisins, etc.)
- Boxes of rice (bags can tear)
- Low-sugar cereal like plain Cheerios or Raisin Bran
- Peanut butter
- Instant oatmeal, instant grits
- Cans of beans
- Pasta, pasta sauce
- Biscuit mix, or any mix you only add water to
- Cans, cartons or boxes of powered and evaporated milk
- Snack items for kids to take to school: juice boxes, applesauce containers, granola bars
- Diapers in sizes above newborn, plus wipes
- Toiletries: toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo & conditioner, Chapstick (consider someone living outside this time of year)
- Feminine hygiene products: unscented pads will be most universally used, not tampons
- Spices like cinnamon, oregano, basil, salt, pepper
- Sliced bread. It’s got a long shelf life but always goes immediately.
- Bags of apples or potatoes. Ditto.
- Chocolate. It’s not a necessity but just a pick-me-up that I would sure appreciate, especially when it comes time to fill stockings.
- Consider donating reusable shopping bags. It takes a lot of humility for people to come to a food bank and since they’ll likely be walking home or taking public transportation, it’s nice to at least blend in.
