10 donations food banks need most

[raccoon]

(I thought this article was worth sharing with my fellow Du'ers.)


It's holiday food-drive season, and needs this year are growing. Let these suggestions guide your giving.

By MSN Money staff

Cleaning out your cupboard for a food drive? Good. When the economy goes down, the number of people seeking help from the nation's food banks goes up.

In the past year, Feeding America, the nation's leading food bank network, has seen an average increase of 15% to 20% in the number of people seeking help at its 200-plus food banks. Atlanta food banks, for example, distributed 41% more food in October than they did in October 2007.

"This is a very critical time of year for us," says Amy Hudson of the Atlanta Community Food Bank in an e-mail. "Between now and Dec. 31, we need to raise $1.1 million just to keep pace with last year's donations."..

No. 1: Cash, plain and simple….

Here are the top foods needed by food banks this year:

• Proteins. Canned meats such as tuna, chicken or fish are high in protein and low in saturated fat. Peanut butter is rich in protein and high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils, the "good fats." These are among the most expensive foods -- too expensive for food banks to buy large quantities.

• Soups and stews. They are filling, particularly the "chunky" soups, and contain liquid for hydration. In addition, soups can be filled with protein and vegetables.

• Rice and pasta. "They're really staples," Nowak says. In addition, grain-based foods, such as pasta, are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates.

• Cereal, including oatmeal. Breakfast cereals can be an additional source of protein, and most cereals today include a variety of vitamins and minerals.

• Canned vegetables, including tomatoes and tomato sauce. Studies indicate that canned vegetables have about the same nutritional value as fresh vegetables.

• Canned or dried beans and peas. A staple of diets as early as 6700 B.C., beans are a low-fat source of protein and fiber.

• Canned fruits. Only a small amount of vitamin C is lost in the canning process, making these a healthy choice.

• Fruit juice (canned, plastic or boxed). Make sure it's 100% juice.

• Prepared box mixes such as macaroni and cheese or Hamburger Helper.

• Shelf-stable milk. This includes dehydrated milk, canned evaporated milk and instant breakfasts.


(The article goes on to tell what food banks DON’T need, such as perishables, homemade foods, etc.)

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/10-donations-food-banks-need-most.aspx?page=all

[H2O Man]

1. Thank you.

Nominated.

[Horse with no Name]

2. Kroger had turkeys this last week for .39 pound

I purchased one each day and used coupons to buy the trimmings to give an entire dinner to a needy family. It cost me less than $20.
Money well spent.
I will go through my cabinet and make a donation to our local food pantry.
Thanks for the suggestions. I always wonder what is the proper thing to donate.

[Cults4Bush]

3. Thank you.

:loveya: :hug: :grouphug:

[asdjrocky]

4. Thanks raccoon. We all need to be doing more right now.

[electron_blue]

5. For money donations, try Second Harvest/Feeding America (link)

Here's a link
http://feedingamerica.org/default.aspx?show_shov=1

They can do more with your $50 in cash than $50 worth of food that you buy and donate.

[BlueIris]

6. Thanks. K&R. nt

[intheflow]

7. Excellent article and resource list.

Thanks. K&R

[Wheezy]

8. Don't forget shoes

Shoes, boots, socks...all very much needed for the winter months.

[Shallah Kali]

9. Many local food pantries accept clothing donations as well so remember them when cleaning out closet

.

[bdamomma]

10. kick

[kiva]

11. Thank you, and K&R n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

12. Nice to see the GOP-controlled media reporting what's happening on Main Street.

It's about freakin' time.

[lonestarnot]

13. Krogers is having a 20 cans for $10 on their canned vegetables.

[Breeze54]

14. Hamburg Helper is BAD and high in sodium...yuck! And FP's NEED fresh fruit and veggies!!

People need fresh fruit and veggies always!!!

They also need paper goods... tp, pt, tampax, diapers, baby wipes, baby food and formula and a myriad of things that most of us don't think twice about buying.

[NikolaC]

15. Thank You

:kick: