My trip to the local food pantry -- need advice please

[theHandpuppet]

I recently had a rather discouraging trip to the local food pantry, where I've been donating regularly for several years now. Even as the demand goes up, contributions keep going down. Some days when I deliver foodstuffs some of the shelves are wiped clean -- but it's almost always the shelves with processed foods full of fat and sugar and not much else. Mac & cheese, canned pasta, etc.

Now I actually shop for the foods I donate, trying to keep in mind that some of these folks don't have electricity to even cook their food. But I clip coupons so that helps. I try to pick more wholesome foods -- greens, legumes, whole grain cereals, natural fruits. I also take fresh veggies from my garden when available. But this last time I went I was told not to bring any more vegetables. "They don't eat them, " the volunteer said, pointing to shelves bursting with canned and dried vegetables of all types. Instead, it was suggested I bring canned soup and cereal and anything that can be eaten out of a can, like canned spaghetti.

Maybe I'm wrong here, but I find this a bit discouraging. I see tons of kids around here who are malnourished -- not undernourished, but MALnourished, with pasty skin and dark circles under their eyes. What I buy for the food pantry is stuff I wouldn't hesistate to put on my own shelf and sometimes the only way I can afford these items is with coupons. On a limited budget it's hard for me to go to the store and purposely spend money on Count Chocula and Spaghetti-O's because some folks needing food don't want whole grain bread, organic cereals, or greens and real fruit juice.

I guess I should just take their list and buy what's asked for even if I know this stuff is junk but this is really nagging at me and perhaps it shouldn't be. What would you do? I'm just a bit discouraged right now and could use some objective advice. It's time for another shopping trip and I have to make some decisions.

[Iris]

1. Maybe you could suggest that the pantry offer some nutrition classes/seminars for their clients.

Maybe if they understood the consequences of the food choices they make, including how eating more fruits and veggies would help their kids perform better in school and at sports,etc., they would choose more of the veggies.

We didn't have a lot growing up, but when I think back, every meal my mom made include 2 or 3 vegetables, sometimes out of a can, sometimes frozen. We usually had a salad or other fresh vegetable - like cut up cucumbers - as well. Usually iceberg lettuce, which I know now isn't the most nutritional, but it was still roughage at least.

[sandnsea]

2. flour, sugar, salt?

Every time I've ever been to a food bank I've received those items. Rarely received Count Chocula. I can't imagine any kid not wanting the little boxes of juice, or even bottled apple and orange juice. I think there's lots of things you can choose to purchase that are healthy and wouldn't violate your principles. They beg for vegetables here. Maybe you could put an ad in the "free stuff" section of your paper when you have extra vegetables.

[theHandpuppet]

19. One problem with the flour and sugar thing...

Number one, a lot of folks who use the local pantry have no way to cook, so I have to limit the amount of flour to donate. Those that do have working kitchens may not have the fresh milk or eggs needed to do anything WITH the flour. One thing I have found, though, is that you can get mixes at the store (for cornbread, biscuits, pancakes) which only require that you add water. Add some all-fruit jelly or preserves, honey or syrup and you have the makings of a reasonable breakfast.

[sandnsea]

39. Maybe in your area

In most areas the folks using the food pantry are regular moms and dads, with jobs, who run into some sort of financial emergency leaving them short on food. But even if you want to consider those who have no cooking facilities, then the ramen is the perfect solution because it's light weight and only requires hot water. Also, think about a little 5 year old who has had nothing but carrots and turnips and rice for a week. What's the problem with giving them a Count Chocula treat?

[spinbaby]

3. From Scouting for Food experience

Our family used to do a lot of work with Scouting for Food where the Boy scouts collect food for the local food bank. I know they were always asking for protein foods such as tuna and peanut butter and for "complete meals" like chunky soups. Today we're not involved in that anymore (kids grew up), but when the scouts collect at the grocery store, I always buy them lots of peanut butter, tuna, and chunky soup.

[theHandpuppet]

7. They have plenty of PB and tuna...

.... which they apparently get from the govt. PB is another thing they don't want -- they say they've got too much already. I try to donate as much soup as I can but the cost of decent soups has gone through the roof. I can only buy them when I have coupons.

[Sequoia]

12. Soup is "trendy" these days.

So called fancy soups are like $4 for a small bowl. Insane!!!

[theHandpuppet]

16. Yeah, I make some of my own soups these days

Some chicken stock, barley and veggies and you have soup. Or a big pot of dried beans. It doesn't cost 4 bucks, either! The price of soup and cereal is outrageous!

[Sequoia]

31. Someday we'll use Campbell's Soup in our gas tanks.

Or Frosted Flakes....put a tiger in your tank....They'r-r-r-r Great!

[theHandpuppet]

33. Do you realize how much Campell's Select would cost per gallon?

Yikes! Why does it cost so much to make SOUP, fer Chrissakes?

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. For the short term, go ahead and buy canned goods that are taken

It's better than having things you've bought go to waste.

For the longer term...Does the food pantry hold any type of nutrition classes? If they don't, it would take some doing and a real commitment to get it organized, but that's the tact I would take. Come up with a program like: "Families, Food, and Fun in the Kitchen!" workshops where kids and parents get involved while learning how to eat healthy in the process. (or does that sound completely lame *sigh*)

[Iris]

48. I'm with you on the nutrition classes.

I can't believe orgs. that distribute food are not hopping on a bandwagon like that.

[ThomCat]

It's not that the poor don't want to eat healthy.

I remember working several jobs and going to school at the same time. There was no time to cook. Everything had to be read to eat out of the box, jar or can.

I remember avoiding stuff that would spoil quickly so that I could stretch things out and make things last.

It's an unhealthy way to live, but a whole lot of people don't have any choice. :(

[theHandpuppet]

10. Yeah, but...

It really doesn't take that much time to open a can of greens or mixed veggies and heat them in a saucepan. No longer than it does to heat a can of Spaghetti-O's. And whole grain breads and cereals are just as easy to eat as Wonder Bread and Sugar Pops. It's not *just* matter of convenience, though I always try to keep that factor in mind while shopping.

[NMDemDist2]

5. I don't have a suggestion for you but saw a great ad on HGTV last night

I think I'll post this link in the gardening forum too.

"Plant an extra row for the hungry"

The purpose of PAR is to create and sustain a grassroots program whereby garden writers utilize their media position with local newspapers, magazines and radio/TV programs to encourage their readers/listeners to donate their surplus garden produce to local food banks, soup kitchens and service organizations to help feed America’s hungry.

PAR’s success hinges on its people-helping-people approach. The concept is simple. There are over 70 million gardeners in the U.S. alone, many of which plant vegetables and harvest more than they can consume. If every gardener plants one extra row of vegetables and donates their surplus to local food banks and soup kitchens, a significant impact can be made on reducing hunger. Food agencies will have access to fresh produce, funds earmarked for produce can be redirected to other needed items and the hungry of America will have more and better food than is presently available.

PAR’s role is to provide focus, direction and support to volunteer committees who execute the programs at the local level. We help gather the human resources necessary to form a nucleus for a local committee. Then we provide training and direction to enable the committee to reach out into the community. Finally, we assist in coordinating the local food collection systems and monitor the volume of donations being conveyed to the soup kitchens and food banks. PAR is proving that every individual can make a difference in his/her community. (Last year, PAR had over 600 volunteer committees with an average of 45 people involved in each program totaling 27,000 volunteers!)

http://www.gardenwriters.org/par/

[Robbien]

6. Go with canned soup, like minestrone

Soups that have strong taste but with plenty of vegetables and protein.

The guy in the store is right, many eat the food right out of the can.

[Totally Committed]

22. This is an excellent suggestion!

Minestrone soup often has veggies and beans right in the can. If there is a bit of pasta or potato in it as well, the beans in it form a perfect protein.

You would be shocked how many people live in their cars, or are homess and have to eat out of a can.

TC

[Breeze54]

8. Contact Post Cereals and Kraft Foods!! They donate a lot!!

Will Kraft make a financial or product donation to my organization?�

http://kraftfoods.com/main.aspx?s=contact_us&m=contact_us/faqview&faq_question_id=796&N

Kraft Foods has a long history of contributing funds, food and employee support to organizations
in communities around the world.
For more information on how to determine whether your organization or project fits into Kraft's
funding criteria, please visit the Contributions and Communities section of kraft.com/Responsibility.�

http://kraft.com/responsibility/contributions_communities.aspx

[flvegan]

9. Thank you for your kindness in donating.

I think that it's fantastic that you act so selflessly.

As for your question, I'd probably get what they needed, for better or worse.

[Sequoia]

11. I can speak from experience

I've used food pantries and yes, most of the food is strachy and what you usually get are these: pasta noodles, pasta sauce, canned corn, canned carrots, rice, beans, peanut butter, jelly, macaroni and cheese, 1 lb. ground turkey (ick). Lucky days: fresh fruit, day old bread and pastries, outdated frozen food, snacks.

I say keep doing what you're doing, kids need the fresh stuff. Got to say though, most of the people doling out food were nice and kind but one place I went and the last time, the woman at the church gave me a down the nose look because what was a white woman doing here asking for handouts. (She was white also). My car was an old clunker so it's not like I was driving in a newer car which most of the other hard-on-their luck drove.

Anyway, bless you.

[theHandpuppet]

15. Yes, I know what you're talking about

I don't know why people donate tons of cheap junk they wouldn't eat themselves. You wouldn't believe how many donations they get of 2 dollar cases of ramen noodles -- nothing but starch and fat. They'd be better off taking that 2 bucks and buying a 5 lb bag of fresh potatoes if starch is all they can think of to give. When I shop I try to keep in mind, "Is this something I would put on my own table?" You'd be surprised (or maybe not) how many folks give cheap, substandard food to food pantries -- do they think because people are poor they shouldn't have/don't need healthy food? I like the "buy one, get one free" sales because I can get a good quality item for me and one of equal value for someone else. I'm not going to buy Chunky Soup for me and a 10-cent bag of ramen soup for someone else. Just doesn't sit right with me.

[Totally Committed]

21. Ramen noodles shouldn't be the only thing donated. I agree with you.

But, there are some people with no desire to eat anything but these fast, just-add-water meals. The homeless in Boston, for instance, used to love the ramen noodles because they could walk into a McDonald's late at night, and if they asked for a cup of hot water, they'd get it. They could then at least have something hot to eat.

While I would LOVE to see nothing but healthy foods eaten and donated, the truth is, people eat the way they eat, and I'd rather have someone who's a couple of meals away from starving to be able to eat SOMETHING -- ANYTHING. So, as I said in my post below, I donate healthy, natural, and organic things when I can, but also include a few things I wouldn't eat myself, for people who are hungry and DO need to eat. Giving people something they CAN eat is as important as giving them something they SHOULD eat, sometimes.

TC

[theHandpuppet]

27. Thank you for bringing that up!

The anecdote about asking for hot water and how that could be turned into a meal isn't something I hadn't even considered. Thanks very much for bringing that to my attention.

[Totally Committed]

37. You're very welcome, and again, bless you for anything you do for people in need!

If everyone did wha they could -- not matter how small -- there would be few people going hungy.

TC

[Sequoia]

23. I had oodles of noodles, bags of it.

I put some in the basement for when we have an earthquake.

[Totally Committed]

13. Do you live in a large city where a lot of homeless people live?

If you do, that could be why they need foods ready to eat out of the can.

Once a month I take all the money I get for cashing in used soda cans that I've collected to be recycled (Here in Mass. it's 5 cents for each one), and the modest $5-$10 dollars I can spare each week, and use coupons I've cut to bring a few bags of groceries to the food bank.

I buy whole grain cereals and pastas, jars of pasta sauce, natural PB, and canned veggies, beans, and fruits. But, I also include a few cans of pastas in sauce, soups, mac and cheese, and packages of Ramen. I don't contribute chips or crackers unless they are whole grain. Shelf-stable milk and juice in small "boxes" are great for people with kids to feed.

My advice is, contribute a little of everything within the guidelines you feel comfortable with. As I learned when I used to volunteer at food banks and soup kitchens in the inner city, when people are hungry, they eat everything.

Bless you for doing what you can!

TC

[theHandpuppet]

24. Yes, there are a lot of poor and homeless here

And believe it or not, many of them are veterans. There is a huge veteran's hospital here and there are many men -- lots of disabled vets -- who have basically been abandoned by the system and are either barely scraping by in run-down housing projects nearby or are living in missions and shelters. Some are completely disabled or have mental problems so severe they can barely get by. These are the ones who usualy don't have kitchens so they'll eat anything out of a can.

Another big group of hungry people are young mothers with children. Too many men making babies who haven't the slightest care for the responsibility of being fathers.

[Stargazer99]

14. Fresh fruits and veggies which are most healthy are very expensive

for the low income. After a time if you've ever been able to purchase fresh foods and then slip into the low income catagory and can't purchase fresh you get out of the habit of fresh foods. Can you imagine how low income children who are acquiring tastes for certain foods when they are young have a problem desiring the fresh foods? Our tastes primarily are formed according to our cultural exposure.
May I say "God Bless You" for donating truly you are expressing God's command to love one another, even if you are an agnostic or atheist. I'm sorry you are having a disapointment with the system. I live in a farming community and in the summer fresh foods are offered through the food bank. The surrounding community is used to canning and farms so that is why it works better.

[nannah]

17. I worked with the health dept. in a rural Washington community

One of my projects was teaching people how to cook with the commodities available through the food bank. I would go to local fairs and events and set up my table with food i had prepared with the commodities. I focused on simple to fix foods that would last in the fridge or freezer. I gave out recipes and samples. It was never clear how effective this was in getting people to use the commodiies like rice and beans rather than cans of spaghetti Os. What we came to understand was that people who use the food bank want to feel like they eat like everyone else, using cans and prepared foods as they see on TV rather than sacks of rice or beans.

Now i am a volunteer checker at my local food cooperative; we offer a 10% discount on our already low shelf prices to people who are low income or seniors over 62. Also, people can volunteer as I do and get a further discount on their food. Our food coop is very careful in selecting the products we offer. Many people who shop with us use food stamps; it feels good to be part of something providing highly nutritious and affordable organic food.

In regards to the question you ask about what you should buy with your money? I wouldn't use my money to buy food low in nutrition and high in toxins. We have a Grocery Outlet chain that carries a lot of organic food. I would look for organic fruit in cans, organic high nutrition cereals, etc. Whenever I am considering a package of toxic food, I ask myself, how much poison would I want to feed my grandchildren.. the answer? NONE.

[blogslut]

18. I've been buying canned formula

When I was a new mom, a can of powdered baby formula cost a little over six dollars. I remember so well because once a month, another mother would show up at my parking garage and ask me if I could possibly spare $6.59 for a can of powdered baby formula. Now, I was poor but I tried my best to earmark six and a half bucks for her.

About six months ago, I decided to check out the prices on powdered baby formula to see that it now costs anywhere from $12-$20 a can. So, instead of buying a mix of foodstuffs, I buy a case of condensed formula when I'm shopping for the local food pantry.

[lapislzi]

20. I have found that you have to deal with the reality you are given

If you want to actually feed people (as opposed to nourishing them, which is a different discussion), you have to give them what they will eat. That is your reality.

You have already made the decision to give. You can choose not to give if you are uncomfortable with the use or nature of your gifts. That's your choice, but once you've chosen to give, the recipient is free to choose. It's out of your hands.

I go through this all the time with people regarding the donation of money. We had a needy family in my office some months ago. I donated cash, figuring that the needy could and would use it as they saw fit. A co-worker of conservative stripe refused to give cash, saying, "I don't want them spending it on junk. They should use the money to buy groceries." So, don't give cash, then. Give a grocery store gift card. "Well, I don't want them buying junk food or beer." Ultimately, it is not your decision. In good faith, you choose to give. Once you've chosen, it's out of your hand.

That is how in good conscience I can give to certain charities and not others. But I can always give with an open hand, no strings attached. If I give money (or goods), it's not mine any more to say what people should do with it. If I give money to an indigent person on the street, it is with full knowledge that that person might go across the street to the liquor store and drink up my $20 in 20 minutes. So I choose before I give. And I try never to judge the recipient. An indigent alcoholic is just as needy as the next person.

[theHandpuppet]

29. Very wise advice, indeed

What you have described mirrors the issues with which I've been struggling. And you're right -- if I'm going to give, it must be with no strings attached. Thanks for your wisdom, truly. I just need to take a breath and let go, then give.

[lapislzi]

36. PS, handpuppet, I love your threads

and your unflagging dedication to the issue of poverty. You're the embodiment of DU values, IMO

:hug:

[theHandpuppet]

42. Just another flawed, confused person trying to make sense of this world

On the street where I grew up we had kids who actually had rickets. We couldn't feed the dog outside because one day I found one of the neighborhood boys eating from the dog dish. He also ate worms and whatever insects he found. Many of the children were filthy and hungry. They all had nicknames like "the dirty faces". My family had more than most; one day when my siblings and I got ice cream cones my brother dropped his on the sidewalk. One of the children following us got down on his hands and knees and lapped it up off the sidewalk.

I have a lot of those types of images burned into my memory and I simply cannot believe we live in a nation obsessed with celebrity and wealth to the point of obscenity while millions of our children go hungry. If I think about it too much I'll drive myself mad.

Thanks for your support and kindness.

[Bluerthanblue]

38. wow, i am

really moved by your kind and compassionate heart.

I was going to post in agreement with Lapislzi- and then read your response.
Instead of being defensive, you have chosen to respond with what is obviously the spirit of your generous nature.-

I understand that you not only wish to share what you have, but to help by encouraging people to make choices that would ultimately benefit them in the long run. I'd encourage you to trust that there will be a time for both, but it may not be 'now'- for many people.


Thank you for being who you are. If we all do what we can (whatever that might be) there is hope for a better tomorrow for everyone.

:hug: :grouphug: :hug:


What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other.
- George Eliot






edit spelling

[jebediah]

30. good points. I tangle with that issue myself. nt

[H2O Man]

25. In this area,

the food banks have government inspectors who enforce the regulations which prohibit the distribution of "fresh" veggies and fruit, or things such as homemade pies. Before retiring, I brough numerous people to the area food banks. Only one had what we called the "underground" pantry: the church had a separate room where they kept the prohibited foods for distribution.

[Gormy Cuss]

34. Fresh unprocessed fruits and veggies aren't prohibited by federal regs. Homemade food is.

What may have been prohibited was distribution by a food bank that lacked proper facilities for storage and disposal of rotten produce because without that it presents a sanitation issue. Homemade food is a concern because there's no way to assure that it meets food handling requirements. If auntie's pie causes food poisoning in a few food bank recipients then they can go after the government for damages. That's one reason why homemade food isn't accepted. Another is lack of proper storage facilities.

It was good of the church to have an unofficial pick up location rather than letting the food go to waste. We all know that a bowl of homemade soup or a slice of pie is better than eating crappy processed food any day.

[Elspeth]

26. How about donating the healthier packaged stuff?

Tuna
Low sodium soups
Snackwell or Healthy Choice products? (At least the fat and calories are lower)
Low sugar and no sugar added products?
Cheerios and Kix (low sugar cereals)

[theHandpuppet]

28. They get tuna and PB from the govt

I buy low sugar cereals but apparently folks want sugary cereals for their kids. I still buy the good stuff. I've purchased those dry soup mixes (the good ones) but again, dried anything doesn't go over well. I do buy the all-fruit jellies and preserves and those seem to be popular.

[EFerrari]

32. Great thread,theHandpuppet!

:hi:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

35. Advice Would Be It Isn't About You, It's About Them. You Have To Ask Yourself;

are you doing this for them or are you doing this just so you have something you can feel good about yourself for? And no, I don't mean that as an accusation, it is meant as a truly logical and future question to ask yourself.

I believe your answer would be the former. With that being the case, then you should have no problem with supplying them with what they want regardless if it's something you would choose not to eat. You may mean well by doing otherwise, but in reality the only purpose it is serving is giving you a false reason to feel good about yourself for doing something. That is true because if no one is eating the food you provide, regardless of how personally comforted you are by the food choice, then it hasn't helped anyone. It is only helping them if it is food you know they will eat. So if you are doing this to help them, rather than just for sake of just feeling good about something (the latter of which I do not believe to be the case), then without reservation supply the foods they ask for.

[theHandpuppet]

41. I think your point is valid, OMC

And with the input of you and others here I've gained some perspective. Thank you.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

44. Regardless, Thanks For Your Generosity. Every Little Bit Helps.

:toast:

[Totally Committed]

40. Kick for a wonderful thread!

:kick:

TC

[shimmergal]

43. You can't go wrong with cans of fruit.

Most kids love them (as opposed to veggies, which they can be real picky about, if they eat them at all) and they can be opened and eaten right out of the can. Yes, they're sweet but lots better for fiber and vitamins than the other stuff mentioned at the start.

Not especially cheap, but groceries regularly run specials on them. Like last night I served five (3 kids) with a 20 oz. can of Dole pineapple chunks that cost 83 cents.

Time binds, storage conditions, handicaps -- any of these can make buying and using fresh produce an iffy thing. There's no point in having them on hand if you lack the time or conditions to clean and prepare them before they go bad. I've had to learn this the hard way, because by a late dinner-time I'm just not physically capable of all the standing, lifting etc. that cooking-from-scratch involves.

Bless you for helping even though your money is short!

[theHandpuppet]

45. Here's a great idea which should be adopted by more communities!

http://www.athensmessenger.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=3875&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=287

From the Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio (home of Ohio University)

6/13/2007 3:30:00 PM
Athens Farmers Market now taking food stamp cards
ELIZABETH GOUSSETIS
Messenger staff writer

Starting today, food stamp cards are being accepted at the Athens Farmers Market.

Shoppers can stop by a table at the market where they will swipe their Ohio Direction Cards in exchange for tokens, which they can use to buy food from the vendors.

Although food stamps at farmers markets are a common sight in other states, the Athens Farmers Market is only the third market in Ohio to accept food stamps.

It took a lot of paperwork and planning, said market President Ann Fugate, but she sees it as mutually beneficial for the market and for food stamp recipients - giving people receiving food assistance another nutritious option for shopping, while supporting local farmers and bringing new customers to the market.... MORE

[bread_and_roses]

46. Fat and starch fill you up. Sugar and salt taste good.

I worked with very low income families for more than twenty years. The factors working against healthy eating from utility costs for cooking, time, having a good refrigerator and stove, the need for decent cooking equipment, even the dishes generated by home cooking when maybe you have to make one bottle of dish liquid last all month - it goes on and on in just practical terms. Not to mention knowlege of nutrition, cooking skills, social factors such as mentioned above: habit, TV, and conditioned tastes, for instance.

If you are used to spongy white bread, the taste and texture of whole wheat bread is not appealing, and to children may be actively revolting. If you know it's good for you, you can re-condition your taste buds, but that takes time, energy, and if children are involved waste, and all of these are additional stressors in lives already so stressed that voluntarly taking on a major stress like changing food habits and preferences is simply unmanagable.

Over the years I also became convinced - this is totally unscientific, but I wish someone would study it (or maybe it has been studied, and I am totally off-base or even right and don't know it) that under chronic extreme stress the body craves sugar, salt, and fat.

I hope this helps. You are obviously a very good person; few who have to budget themselves would go to the efforts you do to help feed others.

For myself, I don't donate to any charity any more because I have come to the conclusion that my limited discretionary spending is better spent donating toward those working for social change. No one in this Country should have to beg for food at a food pantry (and however respectfully the clients are treated - and too often they are treated contemptuously - it is still begging. There is no reason at all that everyone in this Country should not have a guaranteed income adequate to meet basic needs - even NIXON floated that idea - how far backward we have come! But we all have to do what seems right and best to us.

[Iris]

49. I think you are right about the stress and food connection.

In fact, just read a small bit about that in relation to adrenal glands in "Women's Body, Women's Wisdom."

[AngryAmish]

47. I eat well from a food bank

My mother in law works for a food bank. My wife and I make a very handsome living. Why do we eat food pantry food? Because the food bank's clients will not eat some of the food donated. Spices, rubs, etc. -- the stuff you are talking about.

It takes a lot of time and energy to get educated about real food. If you have no background in the subject how are you supposed to learn?

Anyway, their loss, my gain!