How to Shop at Food Pantries
Food pantries provide an opportunity to get essential food items for your family and benefit from the social services in your community. Many charitable organizations set up food pantries to store and distribute donated foods. The majority of the donated products are shelf stable boxed foods, canned goods and other pantry items. Build a relationship with the people that operate the pantry to find ways for you to give back to them for the help they have given you. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Boxes or bags
- Address and income verification
- Unwanted pantry items (optional)
Instructions
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Research food pantry locations by speaking to people at your local community center or church. You also can visit http://foodpantries.org for a directory of food pantries, banks and soup kitchens in your state.
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Speak with a member of the pantry staff about how to qualify to shop and how their program works. Gather address and income verification if it required for application approval. Some pantries have a monthly shopping limit while others allow you to take freely based on your needs.
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Focus by making a list of wanted items so that you remember what you need. You should leave your children with a parent or other guardian so that you can get what you need for your family and not what your child impulsively wants.
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Bring a few boxes or bags with you when you visit the food pantry for the first time. You can donate any you don't use to other shoppers.
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Check expiration dates to make sure you will be able to use the item before it expires. Some pantries specialize in food that is past expiration. Ask an employee for advice on what items tend to stay fresh beyond their date.
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Personally thank the staff, and ask how you can donate unwanted items you have in your home or volunteer your time to help in the food pantry. The spirit of charity helps establish, fund and power these organizations and they always need extra hands.
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