{"id":291,"date":"2024-10-22T19:55:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T19:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kissbilliards.com\/?p=291"},"modified":"2024-12-13T13:08:58","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T13:08:58","slug":"20-best-food-bank-donation-items-for-the-holiday-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kissbilliards.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/22\/20-best-food-bank-donation-items-for-the-holiday-season\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Best Food Bank Donation Items For The Holiday Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re sharing the best food bank donations to make, and a few to avoid!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"donation<\/p>\n

While food banks certainly appreciate your donations at any time of year, the holiday season can put an additional strain on their resources. As a result, they are especially grateful for your generosity at this time of year!<\/p>\n

With this in mind, many individuals and organizations like to increase their donations leading up to Christmas<\/a> to help meet the surging needs of their community.<\/p>\n

\"woman<\/p>\n

Below, we\u2019re sharing some things to remember when planning a donation to your local food bank. We\u2019re covering the best food bank donations, things to avoid, and a few general ideas to keep in mind.<\/p>\n

What donation items are at the top of food banks\u2019 wish lists?<\/h2>\n

\"smiling<\/p>\n

First and foremost, cash is always a welcome donation. Often, the food bank can use your monetary donation to purchase food at a discount. As a result, donating cash may stretch your dollar farther than purchasing food at the grocery store or another retailer.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to donate food or personal care products, we have a list of items that food banks are always happy to receive\u2014some may surprise you!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to keep costs down (who isn\u2019t this year?) and would like to do a little one-stop shopping, we found all of the items below at our local Dollar Tree. You may be able to find better prices when you shop weekly sales<\/a>, and if you\u2019re a Walgreens shopper<\/a>, you may even be able to score some of these items free after coupon stacks and rewards.<\/p>\n

\"dollar<\/p>\n

1. Manual can opener
\n2. Canned vegetables, beans, soup, etc.
\n3. Boxed milk
\n4. Vegetable oil
\n5. Salt & pepper
\n6. Other spices and condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.
\n7. Tea bags
\n8. Ground coffee
\n9. Sugar
\n10. Flour
\n11. Tuna or other canned meat
\n12. Crackers
\n13. Sandwich bread
\n14. Cake mix & frosting
\n15. Stuffing mix
\n16. Cereal
\n17. Dish & laundry detergent
\n18. Feminine hygiene items
\n19. Baby food, formula, & diapers
\n20. Perishable items (select food banks only)<\/p>\n

Be sure to check with your local food bank to see if they can accommodate perishable foods like milk, eggs, butter, margarine, fresh meat, and produce. Many food banks cannot accept these items, but if they can, these foods will be greatly appreciated by the recipients.<\/p>\n

Bonus: Keep an eye out for vegetable and herb seeds! If it\u2019s not season-appropriate for outdoor planting, they can still be used for container gardening.<\/p>\n

\"pair<\/p>\n

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Hip Tip:<\/strong> Some food banks will accept donations of gloves, hats, and winter wear during the colder season. Check with your local food bank to verify what they are accepting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What not to donate to a food bank!<\/h2>\n

While most of your food bank donations will be gratefully accepted, there are definitely a few items you\u2019ll want to avoid.<\/p>\n

Alcohol is usually at the top of the do-not-donate list. Many well-intentioned people try to donate alcohol to food banks, especially around the holidays, but most food banks cannot accept these donations.<\/p>\n

Open, used, or expired products should not be donated, either. This includes any product with a hard-to-read expiration date.<\/p>\n

Because only properly sealed items can be donated, homemade baked goods and leftovers unfortunately can\u2019t be accepted, either.<\/p>\n

\"hand<\/p>\n

Finally, there are some food items that are perfectly fine to donate, but your food bank may already have a lot<\/em> of them. These include the following:<\/p>\n