Damsel wrote:
> "jmcquown" > said:
>
>> Our local food pantry cannot store perishable items (not that you'd
>> want to set those out by the curb, anyway) or fresh vegetables.
>> (Pity, that.) And no glass. But don't forget it's not all about
>> food. Paper goods are more than welcome as are diapers, etc. Get
>> crackin', folks! Time to line up the donations! You never know
>> when you might need a helping hand yourself.
>
> Crash and I found ourselves in that position last year. Here are
> some of
> my suggestions:
>
> Food and beverage mixes that can be made with WATER ONLY (no milk,
> eggs, sugar, etc. required).
>
> Complete meals and desserts in a box.
>
> Many sausages (including pepperoni) require no refrigeration, nor
> does pre-cooked bacon or hamburger. Same with American cheese or
> Velveeta.
> These are our donation plans. I don't think these things occur to
> most people, because they think, "Refrigerator." Think outside the
> box, and if anyone has more suggestions of this kind, please post
> them.
>
> Most food shelf donations of soup are either chicken noodle or tomato,
> because they're the cheapest. Variety is a nice surprise. The huge
> cans come in handy for people with large families.
>
> Breakfast cereals, including instant oatmeal packets. Most of the
> donations of cereals are heavily sweetened. Remember the diabetics
> who may be receiving your donation. At our food shelf, you can ask
> for a diabetic box.
>
> Canned fruit - a very much overlooked item, at least here. Little
> one-serving containers of fruit, Jell-O or pudding for kids and other
> people who have small appetites are a nice idea.
>
> Packaged cookies. The generic sandwich cookies are a nice treat, but
> Peppering Farm would knock a poor family's socks off.
>
> Treat someone to Jasmine rice, or another nice rice variety.
>
> C'mon, food snobs! What else can we do to help raise people's
> culinary standards of living? You really can't live on chicken
> noodle soup and
> green beans.
>
> Pet food. The critters have to eat, too. Yeah, I know, don't have
> 'em if you can't take care of 'em. Chances are, they got their pets
> before hard times hit.
>
> Carol

Excellent suggestions, Carol! Thanks for pointing out the non-refrigerated
items. A lot of us think "refrigerator" because these things are often
stored in the cold case at the store even if they don't need to be (at least
not until they are opened).

Jill