Food drives are plentiful during this time of the year, and most everyone wants to participate. However, all too often, donors are going through their cupboards pulling out all of the non-perishables their family doesn’t want – cheeseburger macaroni Hamburger Helper (sans the hamburger), outdated instant grits with fake bacon chunks, fruit cocktail in heavy syrup.
No wonder this stuff has collected dust in the back of the pantry. If you won’t eat it or feed it to your family…why donate it to someone else?
I’ve posed this question many times before, and the overwhelming response is typically some version of, “Hey, if you don’t have anything to eat, something is better than nothing.” Hmm…I could say a lot about this selfish line of reasoning, but I cleaned up my potty mouth after having kids, so just keep reading…
Last night, I was at Kroger, and the lady in front of me at the register was instructing her daughter to keep the “donation food separate from our real food.” This seemed reasonable enough because it would make the donation drop-off easier if that food was in a different bag, but as I looked at their two piles, something really struck me:
The “real” food was wholesome and yummy – fresh produce, whole wheat bread, frozen veggies, canned soup, whole wheat pasta, etc. The “donation” pile consisted of all of the cheap, empty-calorie junk food that was on sale.
This.Is.Not.Cool.
Varies by food bank – check with yours!
Most of the recipients of our food donations are families with children. They get enough of this crap from other sources. If you’re going to help, really help. Please don’t go through the grocery store picking up all of the dyed, salted, sugared, fatty crap food that you’d NEVER give your precious babies. Yes, you are paying for it, and the food banks are thankful for your donations, but the food is going to feed someone else’s precious babies. They may be facing temporary hard times or living in chronic poverty, but they also have little ones who are loved and cherished, and giving them cruddy crud should not make you feel good.
Another stupid lame excuse I’ve heard is, “Well, the poor kids are going through such tough times that it’s good for them to have tasty treats and fun junk food.” That is a dumb thing to say. Again, you’re rationalizing your poor behavior.
With that being said, I TOTALLY get the need to be frugal with your purchases – whether they are being donated or used in your own household. I’m not asking you to spend more money. I’m asking you to shop smarter, and to actually care. OK, I might be asking you to sacrifice and spend a bit more money, if you can.
In addition to the obvious options (i.e. what you eat and feed your loved ones), here are some suggested food bank donations:
- Look for the pop top canned goods when possible (easier for the elderly and those without can openers)
- Canned soup (good flavors, please – not cream of celery)
- Corn meal, flour, sugar
- Tea, Coffee, coffee creamer
- Pancake mix
- Spaghetti sauce
- Preserves (100% fruit, reduced-sugar)
- Dry beans, canned beans (endless opportunities here – kidney, navy, black, white, etc.)
- Canned low-sodium vegetables (be reasonable…what would YOU eat?)
- Nut, seed, and soy butters (all natural)
- Dried fruit, canned fruit (in fruit juice or light syrup)
- Reduced-sodium chicken and vegetable broth
- Healthy ready-to-eat cereal, oatmeal, cream of wheat
- Canned or vacuum-packed protein (tuna, chicken)
- Rice, whole grain pasta (Ramen noodles don’t count)
- Shelf-stable cheeses (think Laughing Cow – not Velveeta)
- Shelf-stable cow, soy, rice, or almond milk
- Pudding, fruit, applesauce cups
- Freeze-dried vegetables
- Healthy crackers
In the event that you can’t get these things, or don’t have time to shop for healthier foods, you can always donate money or grocery gift cards. And some food banks happily accept perishables – frozen veggies, frozen dinners, meat, produce, etc. Just be sure to ask before dropping off.
God willing, you won’t end up on the receiving end of a food bank donation…but the right thing to do is to give as if you will.
