I've been asked to donate canned goods to a center that gives food to those in need. I know this may sound stupid, but should I get cans of food that would be more filling, or get foods most people probably won't get like pineapple chunks, fruit cocktale, etc? Normally this is not an issue but since funds are tighter this year I have to make smaller & better choices. I guess I could always get a mix. What are your thoughts?

I would purchase what is on sale, but that is because I don't have very much to spend.

I try to donate the most nutritional that I can find. Fruits (in water not heavy syrup) and vegetables are always welcome. Canned beans offer wonderful protein as well.

I always try to get foods that will feed at least 3 people. Last fall I was able to get large cans of sweet potatoes, a large can of tuna...large can of spagetti sauce, and a box of spagetti...a big box of oatmeal is also a good filling item.
Just remember that when you pick out things, that you don't want things that call for extra ingredients...like a cake mix...it needs oil and eggs.

Things they usually do not get are canned meats, tuna, chicken, corned beef, ham. Meat is the thing they can not afford. Pasta pasta sauce with meat, powdered milk.

We have several 99 cent stores here, as well as one that sells stuff cheaper. When my club collects stuff like that we make regular runs to them at every pay period and wind up with a lot of good food.

Wow, I just saw an ad for Vienna Sausage, 3 cans for a $1.00. I don't eat them, but my father loved to snack on them. Does this sound like something they could use?

Yes. If you are talking about giving directly to the homeless, they have no where to cook. If it is going to a shelter that does the cooking and serving, pasta, sauce and such is great.

i think whatever is nutritious is a good choice. usually, the shelters or food banks do the sorting and see that the proper food goes to the proper location.

I hear peanut butter is getting ready to go up in price. If you could find some on sale - that is always a great staple for children & adults.

I appreciate those of you who donate to help feed others. We have has to use services to have food in our home a couple of times and now I give back when I can. Trust me anything is appreciated even boxes of cereal.

we have 3 large drive in our small town to fill our Pantry. The postal works do one, the scouts do one, and the high school does one....

I tend to donate tuna, dried beans, rice, peanut butter, soups, oatmeal,crackers, veggies , powdered milk , our Dollar store has "juice boxes" of shelf stable 2% milk ( it actually tastes like milk!!( I'm allergic to milk.. so I only cook with it... and this works great for me.. no half gallon to go to waste) and what ever canned goods I bought to try and my family did not care for...
When my DH and I both still worked.. we always got a BIG turkey and or hams from work... way to much for just the 2 of use to eat... we donated these to food kitchens/ pantrys.

Donate what you can..this is going to be a rough winter for a lot of people.

I do a lot of the freebies/samplers on line, including dog food, or the coupons you get for free items, get it and donate them.
every little bit helps.

i think it may be cheaper to get some canned meats at Gordons food service if you have one in your area.

Bless the giver and the ones that receive.

Tha good for u!!!

Donate what you can.
shelf stable foods canned veggies, beef stew and canned chicken is always good choices. I am sure what ever you donate will be needed.

I have volunteered every week for the last 4 years at a local food pantry.

In our pantry, the most highly desired items for the majority of clients are staples: rice, pasta, cereals (like Cheerios), jar spaghetti sauce, and canned fruit.

Thank for helping.

Elise

I volunteer at our food bank and the most requested items are:
1. Peanut butter
2. Canned meats, tuna, chicken, vienna sausages
3. Fruits, applesauce, canned peaches, pears,
4. Canned veggies
5. Pasta
6. Evaporated milk
7. Soups

Because a lot of senior citizens get some of these items, a lot of cans now have the new 'pop-top' feature which makes for easier opening instead of using a can opener.

I I understand that the "pop-top" is supposed to make life easier - and I can see that it would if one is living on the street - but sometimes I need a pliers to hold on to that little tab to be able to get it off.

Also - one needs to watch out for those edges - they are sharp!

Up North: this is a great response. I work at a homeless shelter for families. Whenever a family arrives, we try put together something with protein, such as canned meat or tuna and veggies and a starch like pasta or potatoes and fruit. Kind of what would make a full meal or two until they can get to the store. (They often come with little more than a few bags with clothes.)

I know a lot of things come with pop top lids now but how about a bunch of can openers? does everyone have something to open a can? Especially the homeless that live on the streets. I could eat cold soup if I could get the can open.

Canned Veggies...Canned Tuna and Canned Chicken.

I think most are thankful for whatever you can afford to give. If you feel like you can't afford to give as much as you'd like to, why not volunteer at the local food bank to help sort and pack? Even one afternoon a month is a help. And, whoever suggested pet food is right on..often people will give the "people food" to their companions because they don't have pet food for them and go without themselves. Our pantry will split up a huge bag of dog or cat kibble into smaller portions for their clients.

Bless you all for lookiing after the less fortunate among us. These days it doesn't take much to put good people into bad situations.

something that feeds allot...pasta, sauce, hash, noodles, gravy etc...

first you need to ask the people in charge what will be done with the cans..sometimes they are added to a food pantry where they cook the food...fruit is used in after school programs...if it is for a food BANK that gives out food, then stick with beans(protein), veggies and fruit..and cheap is just as good...

I also volunteer at our local food pantry and we always need

canned meats
peanut butter and jelly
cereals
rice/pasta
dried beans
canned veggies
mac & cheese

I try to donate healthy foods with a good shelf life. Anything you can give will be much appreciated.

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I'm even going to contact the center to inquire about volunteering a few hours a month.

:thumbup:

I just finished the book NICKEL AND DIMED By Barbara Ehrenreich. I suggest everyone read it. In her case, smaller packages would be appreciated. Don't forget, if you're homeless, you don't have a microwave, refrigerator, etc!

Usually food banks in our area are used mostly by needy not homeless. I work with both. The pop tops are more expensive and not necessary for needy. Check with the food bank- Most food for the homeless is gathered specifically by groups who work directly with homeless -in our area that's the shelter and a ministry for chronic homeless who don't use shelters.

I volunteer at our food pantry and have to agree that tuna, canned meats, peanut butter, canned veggies are the first things that people take when we have them. Our building has a homeless shelter and we serve two meals a day so most of the people that use our food pantry are low income rather than homeless. The stores donate a lot of breads and pastries but canned goods and staples are harder to come by and we usually have to depend on groups or individuals donating these.

I would be donating basic fare so that the adults and children have an adequate diet.

I stick to the basics, soup, cereal, peanut butter, pasta sauce, canned pastas, and always buy what is on sale to make my money go further.

I checked with our food shelf and asked if it would be better to give them cash. They can buy food for much less than I can and also fill in where they have need.For a $10 donation they were able to purchase a case (24 cans) of food. Just a thought.

BLESS YOU AND OTHERS THAT ARE ABLE TO HELP THIS YEAR. mY PERSONAL THOUGHTS ARE: IF i AFFORD MYSELF THE LUXERY OF SEWING, CRAFTING AND QUILTING i CAN GIVE UP A TRIP TO jOaNNS, hOBBY lOBBY ETC AND DONATE SOME CANNED TuNA, CHICKEN (oops, sorry bout the caps, ) beans etc. 2-3 times in the fall and again at the holidays. I don't have a large stash but I'm pretty certain that nobody in my family will panic if they wait 2 months for a quilt or placemats.lol and the suggestion of pet food is a good one. sometimes even the homeless will have a stray that hangs around.

Good morning. I give a gift card as they can purchase more than I ever could. It doesn't need to be a large amount. We must help our brothers and sisters in need.

I will donate cash. Often food shelters are able to purchase what they need at a big discount. Everybody wins this way.

When i volunteered at a food bank. We asked people to try to donate something they could make a meal from. Like a large can of tuna a bag of noodles and a can of cream of chicken soup to make a cassorole with. It's kind of you to remember the needy in these hard time.

Agree on this one, canned meats it's whats most needed. Usually everyone gives green beans, pasta and tomato sauce, ramen noodles etc..

I'll give differently like the meats and fruits. I know everyone is on a budget nowadays, including myself. So in just giving one canned good, it's still better than not giving at all.

Does it have to be food? What about diapers and formula and baby food. We had a really rough spell last winter and had to use the food bank. My DD couldn't afford these items for her baby and it takes time to get the government assistance IF you qualify.

Our food pantry prefers that we give money since they can get meat (frozen) and cerl much cheaper from the Northern Illinois food bank.

Any time I get coupons for a free item and I know I won't use it, I still get the product and the donate it to the food drives. I also get samples that I give to the food drives.