Healthy Food Donations For Charities And Food Banks
Written By: Taylor Rao
The holiday rush is almost over. All of the shopping, wrapping, party planning and cooking will soon be done. That also means that a lot of the holiday-related giving will come to an end as well.
Unfortunately, the need for food will not.
According to Feeding America, 37 million Americans struggle with hunger, including 11 million children. And while having a steady supply of food is a general problem, getting access to healthy foods is even more of a challenge for those living in poverty.
According to NeonCRM:
Nearly one third (31%) of annual giving occurs in December.
12% of all giving happens in the last three days of the year.
36% of nonprofits raise less than 10% of their annual funds from their year-end ask.
This means that while there is a surge in giving during the holiday season, many non-profits will still need a good deal more to reach their annual goals. But there are easy ways to make food donations a part of your regular routine throughout the year.
Something as simple as doubling up on a few items on your grocery shopping list and dropping them off at a local food bank can make a big difference in helping to fill people’s pantries with hearty, healthy meals.
What To Give?
One of the things to keep in mind while donating to charities of any kind, though, is that you’ll want to make sure you are contributing items that are actually needed. While all donations are generous, food banks and local charities often publish lists of specific items they are most in need of at any given time --so check those out before you shop.
But we do know for a fact that healthy foods are high up on many of these lists, so if you’re looking to make a healthy food donation to your local food bank this year, think about foods that are high in nutrients and low on processed sugar. A little grocery store giving can go a long way, and food items are desperately needed all year long. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help make continued food donations a part of your New Year’s resolution.
Whole Grain Pasta, Rice Or Quinoa
100% whole grains are complex carbohydrates, which means they are more nourishing and keep you full for longer. And, they’re not too difficult to find in the grocery store as more and more people are choosing whole wheat grains to make traditional pasta and rice dishes a little bit healthier while enjoying carb-heavy dishes. You can also opt for dry vegetable-based pastas that are also suitable for vegetarian and gluten-free diets.
Dried pastas and rices can stay on the shelf for anywhere from one to two years, so if you donate items like these, you won’t have to worry about whether or not it will get used while it’s still good. In fact, it’ll be one of the most sought after foods at the food bank.
High Protein Meat Or Fish
Items containing protein are one of the most requested items at food banks, but not all organizations except fresh or frozen items like meat or fish (some do though, so check locally and see what you can give).
In the event that you can’t give anything fresh or frozen to your local food bank, there are plenty of things on the shelves at your local grocery stores that are high in protein and on the healthier side. Water-packed and canned items like tuna, chicken and salmon are high in protein and also include important vitamins that are nourishing and taste good right out of the can. And on the dry side of the aisle, black beans, chickpeas and cannellini beans are packed with nutrients and have a long shelf life.
Nuts And Healthy Fats
Rather than deliver a bunch of unhealthy snack foods, certain types of nuts like almonds, cashews and peanuts are a great alternative that can be used in cooking or for snacking. Healthy fats like nut butters are also a great way to pack in protein and other nutrients your body needs.
Instead of buying traditional Skippy or Jif, try a healthier alternative like Justin’s almond, peanut or cashew butter. For a few dollars more than a regular jar, you can guarantee a few more healthy ingredients and good fats in every scoop.
Fruit Or Vegetable Juice
100% fruit and vegetable juices are a much healthier alternative to sugary drinks like Gatorade, orange juice or iced teas. These can be donated in a boxed, can or bottled form and can be a great donation to make for a family with young children.
Items like these also have a long shelf life, and in addition to fruit or vegetable juices, you can also donate apple sauces, or squeezable fruit or vegetable pouches for kids like HappyTot, that have 100% of the daily Vitamin C value, 4 grams of fiber and 720 milligrams of Omega-3.
In addition to juices, you can also opt for canned fruits and vegetables which are always welcome. Look for products that don’t include added sugar or sodium. For example, canned fruits, stored in their own juice in versus syrup and canned vegetables with no salt added.
Shelf-Safe Dairy Products
While some food banks might accept fresh foods (as mentioned above), there are plenty of shelf-safe dairy products you can donate if a gallon of milk is not an option at your local organization. Products like almond and soy milk can come boxed or canned, and still contain Vitamin D and calcium.
There are other types of milk that is sometimes requested, like evaporated milk or coconut milk which also come in a can and can last on the shelf for a long time before use.
When you donate to a local charity or food bank with a mission to provide healthy, accessible food options for those living in poverty, you can make a direct impact on your neighbors while helping to promote a healthier lifestyle to those without access to nutritious foods. It’s as simple as having an idea of what’s needed, and then leaving a little extra room in your shopping cart. Remember, every little bit helps. There is no effort that won’t be appreciated in spirit, but when you focus on trying to provide the healthy items that many families find harder to come by, you’ll be providing not just a meal, but true nourishment.