Hi, friends!
As per usual with NOTs, talk about whatever you want.
I’m going to to go over some basic things about food donations since it’s the time of year that we see things like Scouting for Food and other food drives.
First and foremost, food pantries will benefit more from monetary donations than shelf stable foods. The buying power for bulk as well as fresh produce that they can do is much greater than anything randos like us can do.
However, canned goods are also always okay, too. Here’s some highlights in case you’re like what the crap do I put in the bag for the Boy Scouts this year?
- First of all, try to donate things people use. Not that dusty can of whatever thing in the back of the pantry that no one will ever use.
- Please avoid things in glass jars. The break risk is high.
- Most food pantries will accept expired goods as long as they’re recently expired (within the last year).
- Anything with protein is appreciated. Peanut butter, canned beans, canned fish, etc.
- Low-sodium foods are also good.
Some additional things we’ve identified locally with our free-standing community food pantries
- Think about reducing anything that is a barrier to access where you can.
- For example – pop top cans vs the kinds that need can openers. We had folks as if we could provide can openers.
- Foods that require other foods to be made are a barrier to access. For example – instant mashed potatoes mix that is just add water will work for more people than the kind that requires butter and milk.
- Boxes of band aids, feminine hygiene, and other incidentals (hand soap, dish soap, toothpaste) are always wanted.
Ellie and I were talking about this kind of thing tonight. Our community has a once a year fundraiser for multiple non-profits. Ellie’s business deals with a lot of non-profits and they are worried because they expect that funding is going to drop off like the last time trump was president. We think that is awesome that you do that.
Oh yeah nonprofits are definitely fucked with getting government funding.
I donate with cash or usually food stuffs people here want to eat like peanut butter not artichoke hearts or sea urchin.
Thanks for the reminder. Cash is definitely best. Sandwiches which were left overnight in a conference room really shouldn’t be given to food banks because someone feels guilty about throwing away food.
To add to the theme, old towels and blankets are probably better donated to animal shelters than places like Goodwill. They usually can’t be salvaged for humans and end up getting sent off for being pulped for fiber, but animal shelters will definitely use them.
O/T but I’ll post it while I remember it:
She’s very concerned but she’ll vote to confirm. I guarantee it.
Of course she will.
Right idea.
that reminds me…..bout time i organize a van again for my anual pallet of german soups to donate….
probably want to do that before december 9th as i suspect border checks are going to play merry hell on my cheap shopping….
gonna be fucking funny hearing about all the right wing nutjobs losing their arsenal of fireworks in the name of stopping immigrants tho…
unintended consequences…..they apply to you too whiteboy :p