How to Donate to A Food Bank

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By Shannon Nee
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You can help hungry people.

Somewhere in your community, people are going hungry. Food banks report that the demand on their resources is as hard as it's ever been because of unemployment and uncertainty. How can you help? If you have a full pantry, or money or time to give, you can donate. Here's how.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Find donation centers online by searching “food bank [your area]” and “shelters [your area]". Also look up Feeding America, Catholic Charities, and Givespot.com, all of which provide helpful links to local needs. See Resources to link to their websites.
Step 2

Or call the main numbers of your city and county governments for information on government-run agencies and shelters. You can find these numbers online, or in the government listings section (blue pages) of your local white pages directory. Also call large churches, which if themselves do not have food banks, would probably know of others that do.
Step 3

Now that you’ve located donation centers, make a list what to give. Organizations with websites usually post a list of most needed food items, otherwise, think non-perishable: canned, boxed, and bagged, especially along meal lines. See Tips and Warnings.
Step 4

You can plunder your pantry, make up a grocery bag full next time you go shopping, or both. Odds and ends from your own store of food are fine, as long as they’re basic grocery items—no food bank can use capers or cocktail onions, or anything that's already been opened, such as a cracker box with only three sleeves of crackers left.
Step 5

To make the most of your effort, talk to your neighbors, friends, and co-workers, or distribute flyers or emails, letting them know you’re collecting non-perishable items for a food bank donation. Include guidelines for most-needed foods, and give them a deadline to drop their donations off to you.
Step 6

Before you get behind the wheel to deliver your donation, call ahead to make sure the facility will be open. With many such programs run all or in part on volunteer hours, you can’t assume they keep a business schedule. And please don't make drops when a place is closed--it can be stolen, attract animals, or otherwise be ruined for its intended use.
Step 7

Lastly, if you want to make a difference but don’t have the time or wherewithal to pull together food and drop it off, then donate money online, or mail a check. Monetary donations help cover many needs outside of meals and are deeply appreciated. And last but certainly not least...you can donate your time.

Comments

1960texan said

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on 5/20/2009 Great tips and thank you for reminding us how easy it is to make a difference. I especially like the idea of involving neighbors, friends and coworkers.

MarlaineMarie said

on 4/15/2009 Whenever something is on a great sale, I get extra cans of whatever it is and leave them in the donor barrel at my regular store. Good article!