Food pantries are hungry for donations

Many of us think about making food donations to local food banks at this time of year. However, what types of donations help most? In addition, what kinds of food should you avoid donating?
Shelf-stable, nutrient-dense food is what people who struggle with food insecurity need most.
For food-safety reasons, items like rusty or dented cans, unlabeled packages, opened packages, thawed frozen foods, or non-commercially packaged food cannot be distributed. If you are unsure, ask your local food bank for their guidelines before donating.
If you are considering donating to a food bank or food pantry this holiday season, here are some things to think about:
• Make sure the food bank you’re interested in donating to is accepting donations — the answer is probably yes, but also take a minute to ask what they might be short on and if they have a list of prohibited items.
• Foods should be easy for families to prepare.
• Refrigerator space comes at a premium, so the most useful donations are often foods that are both nutrient dense and nonperishable.
• When giving fresh produce, there should be no evidence of spoilage. All fruits and vegetables should be of high quality.
Healthy foods from the five food groups:
Fruits & Vegetables
• Fresh fruits/vegetables 
• Canned vegetables, low sodium
• 100% fruit juice
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Dried fruit, no sugar added
• Fruit in 100% juice
• Frozen vegetables, no sauce – if storage available
• Frozen fruit, no sugar added – if storage available
Grains
• Whole-grain or enriched pasta
Whole-grain dry cereals, low sugar
• Oatmeal, cream of wheat, and grits
• Brown rice and wild rice
• Quinoa
• Barley
• Popcorn
• Whole-grain crackers
• Whole-grain breads and tortillas
• Whole-grain granola bars
• Whole-grain wheat flour and all-purpose flour
Dairy
• Low-fat or fat-free dry powdered milk
• Low-fat or fat-free shelf stable milk
• Low-fat shelf stable soy milk, unsweetened 
• Low-fat or fat-free milk – if storage available
• Low-fat or fat-free yogurt – if storage available
• Low-fat cheese – if storage available
Protein
• Fresh meat and fish – if storage available
• Canned meat and fish, in water
• Canned beans, low-sodium
• Dried beans, peas, and lentils
• Eggs – if storage available
• Nuts and seeds, unsalted
• Nut butter, low sugar
Other Items
• Canola or olive oil
• Canned soup, stew, chili, low sodium
• Broth
• Spices
• Salad dressings, low-fat and low-sodium
• Tomato sauce, low-sodium
Certain non-food items may also be welcome. Call your local food pantry to see what they need. 
Donating food is not the only way to help your local food bank. Volunteering is a rewarding way to give back, especially if you go with friends, family members, or colleagues. Holiday time is very busy and help from the community makes a big difference. It might not be the most fulfilling way to donate, but giving money rather than food is often an effective way to help alleviate hunger in your community. Contact your local food bank if you have questions about volunteering your time, donating food or money, and to find out the hours of operation.
Now all that is left to do is shop, donate, or volunteer and feel good knowing you have helped stock a home with nutritious and filling groceries. You CAN make a difference.