Local Food Pantries and Charitable Organizations Need Your Help

The holiday season is over and with that the overall end of newspaper and magazine articles advocating donations to those in need. The thing is, basic living essentials don’t stop on any specific calendar day. For those people whose lives depend on free food programs, shelters, and charities to survive, your donation keeps them going. One of the easiest things to do is to contact nearby organizations and ask what they need. Think about what you would want if you were in someone else’s shoes.

　

Nearly every town and certainly every city operates a food pantry. Volunteers use monetary donations to shop for food at enormously discounted rates at state or city food banks which is then handed out to local residents. Many veteran centers also stock non-perishable foods for clients. Grocery stores usually have a food donation drop-off near the service counter. Additionally, you might find drop-off locations at your local library, bank, school, and town hall. While people using food stamps can purchase food, they cannot buy any toiletries or vitamins.

 

Food pantries generally request the following items: peanut butter (allergy alternatives are cashew butter and sunflower seed butter), canned meat (tuna, chicken, chili, ham), canned vegetables, 100% juice, dry pasta, canned or jarred spaghetti sauce, dry cereal (oatmeal, cream of wheat) meal makers (Hamburger Helper, Mac & cheese), packaged snacks (granola bars, fruit bars, crackers), toothpaste, toilet paper, bar soap, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products.

Clean out your cupboards and find foods that still have a good expiration date. Do you have 8 jars of jelly? Donate what you’ll never use. Did you accidentally buy spicy ketchup instead of your regular one? Donate it. If you live in an area with a large ethnic community consider donating packaged foods commonly associated with their traditional meals.

Used but clean and non-tattered clothing are accepted by charities that resell them using the money to provide services to needy families and individuals. If you’d rather the clothes be given directly to someone rather than resold, contact a local shelter, orphanage, veteran center or place of worship. That pile of single socks you have would make someone else very happy. Now is a good time to go through your closet and dresser. We all have clothes that don’t fit or we never wear. Perhaps you bought newborn or children’s clothing but didn’t get around to shipping them to a friend/relative and the kid is too big for them now.

With unemployment levels holding steady and even increasing, it’s extremely important that we help our neighbors. The truth is, one day, it could be you who needs the help.