Take Time for Food Bank Donations During the Holidays

The holidays are a wonderful time of year for many of us filled with family, friends and cheer.  We all get busy during this season and it can be easy to forget that there are lots of folks out there struggling to make ends meet.
One of my very favorite benefits of couponing is the ability to stretch your dollar so far that it makes it easier to give to those in need.  I’ll be honest, I’m the first one in the checkout line to decline donating the bag of food the store put together because I know I could donate 4 times as much using my coupons!
The key is not to forget to set aside items & really make an effort to get it to a food bank in a timely way.  This can be a great lesson for kids and it really brings a sense of purpose to the season beyond the parties, cookies and gifts.  My sons school is currently doing their annual food drive and my son is very proud to take in bags of food. He wants to take something everyday.....how sweet!

To get started

• Grab a box and head to your pantry to pull out items your family won’t use before the expiration date.
• As you make your shopping list,  add in a few inexpensive items and put them your donation box when you get home.
• Set a budget, goal and timeline for dropping of your items.
• Don’t forget to ask for a donation receipt while you are there.
• If you can’t afford to donate goods, consider volunteering for a few hours each week instead.

Great items to donate

Canned Fruits & Vegetables
Fortified Cereals
Juice & Juice Boxes
Soups
Condiments (dressings, oils, mustard, tomato sauces)
Snacks (individually packaged if possible)
Paper Products (paper towels, napkins, cleaning supplies)
Grains and Packaged Dinners (rice, oatmeal, instant potatoes, pasta, mac & cheese)
Shelf Stable milk (soy, rice, evaporated, powdered)
Canned Proteins (tuna, chicken, peanut butter, beans)
Personal Hygiene (diapers, deodorant, feminine products, soap, toothpaste, shampoo)

I know many of you guys already help out your local food banks regularly, so if you have additional tips and ideas for making the most of your efforts I’d love to hear them!