Pitch in to help get local pantries filled
- col-bobbie-randall
- October 3, 2024
- 571
Back to school shopping is behind us. The Wayne County Fair is but a memory. Summer weather is hanging on by a thread. Halloween decorations and candy crowd the store shelves. Christmas shopping is not far behind.
The local food pantries and organizations assisting those in need are gearing up for the winter months. Hats and gloves and warm jackets are in great demand. New, clean socks without holes are a bonus.
It is time to restock the local food pantries. Most people buy what they think food pantry users want but have never asked them or considered their basic needs.
Listed below are some tips and guidance if you donate to food pantries. These recommendations are derived from feedback by those who use them:
—Macaroni and Cheese in a box is a popular item to be donated. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter, which is hard to get from many food banks. Nonfat dry milk, known as powdered milk, is a treasure. Kids need it for cereal, which is donated in bulk. FYI, if you are donating cereal, buy the kind with the fewest sugars added.
—Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles. This makes a good meal, but Parmesan cheese or ground meat makes it better. Rice is another great starchy food to donate. Buy the whole grain pasta and rice when donating.
—Awesome canned veggies and soup can’t be eaten unless you add a can opener or buy pop top cans. Oil is a luxury and needed for Rice-A-Roni, which they also get a lot of.
—Spices or salt and pepper would be a very special donation. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care. Don’t give them K-cups. A powdered creamer and sweetener are treats for them.
—Food bank visitors fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores. Fresh produce is expensive for them, but hopefully, you can purchase some carrots or apples. Oranges, potatoes and onions are always appreciated.
—Sugar and flour are treats. Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and relish are great donations.
—They rarely get fresh meat. Canned beans like black beans, garbanzo beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, pinto beans, lima beans, navy beans or butter beans are great sources of protein. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch. Canned meats or seafood are much-needed protein sources. Sardines are treasured.
—Hamburger Helper and many other packaged meals go nowhere without ground beef. A lot of peanut butter and jelly is donated but usually not sandwich bread or crackers.
—Butter or margarine is nice too. Eggs are a real commodity. Cake mix and frosting make it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. Add a bottle of vegetable oil and a dozen eggs. Candles will make it special.
—Dish soap and cleaning supplies are expensive and always valued. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury, and women will cry over that.
—Any expired nonperishable food or products with damaged packaging are not appreciated. Donate items that can be safely consumed.
Bobbie Randall is a registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.