I confess that I like buying groceries for the food shelf, even though I know it isn’t the best way to give. I feel like I’m picking out gifts for someone.
So this post is partially me telling myself what I know I ought to do.
Here’s what I’m telling myself and, if you are like me, you as well:
If you want to make the most impact with your food shelf donation, give money, not food.
Here’s why:
- Your financial donation allows the food shelf to buy what it most needs. Food shelves do offer lists of their most needed food items, but they know best what their needs are at that moment. Money allows them to fill in the gaps.
- Food shelves can get more food per dollar than you can. You probably purchase the food you donate at the grocery store. Food shelves buy their food wholesale.
I could end the post here, because I’ve just told you how to give a more impactful food shelf donation. There is no better way. But…
How to Give Food to the Food Shelf
You may end up giving food to the food shelf anyway.
First of all, if your kid asks you for canned goods for their food drive at school, you probably won’t say, “No, I prefer to give financial donations.” Not when a class pizza party is on the line.
Like me, you also may feel more motivated when you do the shopping yourself. I’m saying to you and to myself, “Stop that! You’ll have more impact if you give money!” But if it makes the difference between giving and not giving, then go ahead and give food. Giving something is better than giving nothing.
The “Don’t” List
We’ll start with what not to do:
- Okay, I have pulled canned goods from my own shelves when my kid needed something to take to school and I didn’t have the time to run out to the grocery store. In general, it’s best not to do this, but if you find yourself in a similar situation, give one of your newer canned goods. Do not give something you have to dust off or that is near or past an expiration date stamped on the can. And, of course, if the can is bulging or dented, please don’t give it away or eat it yourself.
- Don’t give food in glass jars. This breaks my heart, because I’m concerned about the impact plastic has on the environment. But food shelves don’t want to deal with broken jars, so pick plastic for things that don’t come in cans.
- Don’t give perishable food, except — perhaps — garden produce. Many food shelves do take fresh garden produce during the growing season. Check with your local food shelf first before you donate. This means you’ll probably need to take the produce directly to the food shelf rather than giving through a food drive.
- Don’t give homemade food. Sure you’re a good baker or have award-winning jam, and you’re a perfectly trustworthy person. But the people who accept your donations don’t know that. Even if they do, they need to have rules against homemade food in place for the safety of the people who use the food shelf.
- Don’t give open food packages. Who does that? Apparently, some people do, because I found it on multiple “don’t donate” lists.
- Don’t donate food you wouldn’t eat. I don’t mean not to donate foods you don’t like. If you don’t like lima beans, it’s still perfectly acceptable to donate them. I mean, if you wouldn’t be happy getting a bag with the quality of items you are donating (lots of junk food, open bags, expired foods, etc.), then don’t donate those items to the food shelf. And if you only eat junk food or like to live on the wild side and eat foods that you should probably throw out, please, please… just donate money.
- Don’t give a lot during the holidays and then neglect the food shelf during the rest of the year. Food shelves receive a ton of donations related to holiday food-drives. While much of the nonperishable food is good for months afterward, it’s better for the food shelves and their clients if you spread your giving throughout the year.
What to Give
- First and foremost, give what your food shelf needs most. Many food shelves have lists of their most needed foods available online, or you can call and ask what they need. Safe bets are peanut butter, canned tuna, beans, rice, cereal, and canned fruits and vegetables. (Here’s an area where “don’t donate what you wouldn’t eat” comes into play — I try to donate fruit that doesn’t come in a sugary syrup, because I prefer not to buy that kind.)
- Give ingredients for cooking meals. People who use food shelves don’t necessarily just want prepackaged meals, like macaroni and cheese. Donate cooking oil (canola or olive), spices, flour, sugar, and other shelf-stable items you might use to cook a meal.
- Give culturally specific foods. Not everyone eats what you eat. Consider purchasing foods that would appeal to people from cultures other than your own. Your local food shelf may be able to provide guidance on what to buy to meet the needs of people from different cultures.
- Give food for people on special diets. Remember that some people need to watch the amount of sodium or sugar they consume, or they may have food allergies. Purchase foods that work for people with dietary restrictions.
- Give non-food items such as dish soap, shampoo, feminine hygiene items, and diapers. Many food shelf clients are grateful for items that help them with personal care, baby care, and keeping their homes clean.
- Consider giving cake mix and frosting. Many food shelves put together birthday bags for children. Check with your food shelf to see if they could use cake mix and frosting for families celebrating a birthday.
Whatever you do, give what food shelves can use… especially money.