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Rules of a Food Drive
Rules of a Food Drive
There are some general rules it is good to follow when donating to a food drive. Below we will discuss what the rules are and give some helpful examples of good and bad food to donate
What to Donate
What to Donate
General Rules to Follow
General Rules to Follow
Donate non-perishable, shelf-stable food. This means no food that needs to be refrigerated, this is the food you would keep in your pantry without it going bad.
Donate food that has not reached it's expiration yet. This one can be tough because many non-perishable items last so long, it may be difficult to know how long you have had the food. So just remember to check before you bring it in.
Dry and canned foods. This is just another way of saying non-perishable, but it is a good rule of thumb to make sure you're food donations meet all of these characteristics.
So with these rules in mind what are some good foods to donate?
Examples of Food to Donate
Examples of Food to Donate
Food Drives Often Need:
Canned beans
Peanut butter
Canned soup
Canned fish (ex: tuna)
Pasta
Rice
Canned fruits/vegetables
Cannned meat (spam, ham, chicken)
Cooking oils
Crackers
Granola bars
Nuts
Shelf-stable/powdered milk
Whole grain cereal (Ex: Cheerios)
Tip: It is also not a bad idea to look on their websites or advertisements for food drives, as many of them list what they really need.
What Not to Donate
What Not to Donate
General Rules to Follow
General Rules to Follow
Items that need to be refrigerated. As we have already been over these items are not shelf-stable.
Expired food. Again we have already been over that you should not donate expired food and it is a good idea to check the sell-by dates on the food before you donate.
Leftovers, baked goods or something you have already opened. It is best to leave that delicious meal from last night at home when you donate food. This rule is to keep the people they serve safe since the food bank cannot guarantee the ingredients or preparation process from a home-cooked meal.
Food with damaged packaging. Do not donate food with packaging concerns. These include dented or bloated cans, packages that are already opened and glass containers (they could shatter).
Examples of Food Not to Donate
Examples of Food Not to Donate
A Short List of Foods Not to Donate:
Dairy products*
Freezer vegetables/fruits
Fruits or vegetables*
Cans that are leaking, dented, bloated or past expiration date
Leftovers or baked goods
Junk food (try to avoid this is if you can, while food banks will accept it. It is more beneficial to try and donate something that is more nutritionally beneficial)
Half-eaten jar of peanut butter
Your grandmother's ring etc.
*Some pantries do actually accept these, which is why it is good to check websites before donating. But if they don't ask for them, assume you are not supposed to bring them.
Tip: If you can, food banks also tend to prefer thing that don't need a can opener or special equipment to open. Of course, bring in whatever you have, but if you are buying something in the store it is better to get something with a pop-top.
***Please fill out the form below before donating***
***Please fill out the form below before donating***
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