What Do Food Banks Really Need? – Mitzvah Week

Photo credit – Flickr, epsos.de

Have you ever had to use a food bank? Although I’ve had my welfare experience, I never had to go to the food bank, other than to volunteer there. I remember a couple years ago reading about an experiment done in Calgary. Some bloggers got together, put together a box that was typical of what would be given out at a food bank, and then challenged themselves to exist off that box for a month. Their experiences were so enlightening. Unfortunately, I can’t share it with you as the blog they had been sharing on is no longer in existence. However, based on what I’ve learned from volunteering at the London Food Bank and from the Calgary experience, here are some suggestions of what food banks really need:

Note – most people think of donating to the food bank at this time of year and often food banks are actually overstocked with food. If you’re only able to donate once a year, you might want to wait until after the holidays when the demand will be greater than the supply or you might want to be sure that what you donate now is shelf stable even if not given out for a month or two.

• Canned fruit especially if something other than pineapple as that is the one they receive most often at food banks
• Canned vegetables especially if something other than green beans – again that’s what is donated most often (Consider things like canned potatoes as well)
• Canned meats and fish – something other than tuna which is what is donated most often.
• Canned pork and beans
• Peanut butter (a great source of protein) and Wow butter (another great source of protein but helpful for families with peanut allergies)
• Babiy food and formula (the powdered kind is often preferred. You might want to phone your local food bank and ask them for sure before donating)
• Pasta and pasta sauce to go with it
• Rice
• Dried beans, lentils, couscous, etc.
• Kraft Dinner – I like to give the one that’s made from cauliflower as it has extra nutrients in it
• If giving at the holidays, it’s nice for the families to receive some traditional holiday foods like canned cranberry sauce, canned sweet potatoes, boxes of stuffing mix etc.)
• Dried fruits (raisins or other kinds)
• The kind of pancake or biscuit mix that only requires water to be added. It’s lovely to be able to give a family a treat of cake, cookie, or brownie mix but if they require more than water, it might be something they can’t actually use.
• meals in a can – things like stew or chili
• crackers, tortillas (they last longer than regular bread)
• cereal, oatmeal
• dry powdered milk, evaporated milk
• soup packets – great for making soup or adding some flavour to a meal
• spices and condiments – these are often forgotten items when donating but they can be so helpful in flavouring a meal.
• Items suited for children to take for school lunches and snacks like fruit and pudding cups, applesauce cups, granola bars, juice boxes
• a little treat of chocolate or something similar is so nice to add to a donation. Yes they really need nutritious meals but a little treat now and then can really brighten a day.
• foods for special diets – gluten free items, lactose free items etc.
• toiletries for adults, children, and babies – I know, these aren’t food but soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes are essential to good health too. Think of diapers and diaper rash cream for babies, deodorant for adults, feminine hygiene products for women.