Okay, it's that time again. And I was reminded by a PSA from the U.S.
Postal Service - next Saturday, May 14th, if you put a bag or box of food by
the mailbox the postal carrier will pick it up. (This is assuming the
neighborhood kids don't break into the bag/box in the meantime, which is
what happened to me.)

Check with your local food bank about what items they will accept and what
they have the most need for.

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.

Jill <--been there, done that
--
I used to have a handle on life...but it broke off.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
.. .
> Okay, it's that time again. And I was reminded by a PSA from the U.S.
> Postal Service - next Saturday, May 14th, if you put a bag or box of food
> by
> the mailbox the postal carrier will pick it up. (This is assuming the
> neighborhood kids don't break into the bag/box in the meantime, which is
> what happened to me.)
>
> Check with your local food bank about what items they will accept and what
> they have the most need for.
>
> 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.
>
> Jill <--been there, done that

Good job, Jill. I do think they like cash because they can get the stuff at
a
discount, but I don't swear to that. Anyone who can help out, make a
donation one way or another.

nancy (my mail carriers hate it because they walk the route)

It's a great thing the USPS does this! It just serves as a proof that
it's too easy to help the needy.

I always put a case of canned baked beans in my mailbox for food bank.

Great FYI post, Jill!!!

Thanks for the reminder,

Andy

"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

Oops!

I hit the wrong button when my spell checker wanted to change Pepperidge.
I accidentally let it!

Carol

jmcquown wrote:

> Okay, it's that time again. And I was reminded by a PSA from the U.S.
> Postal Service - next Saturday, May 14th, if you put a bag or box of food by
> the mailbox the postal carrier will pick it up. (This is assuming the
> neighborhood kids don't break into the bag/box in the meantime, which is
> what happened to me.)
>
> Check with your local food bank about what items they will accept and what
> they have the most need for.
>
> 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.
>

Sounds like good idea. Much better that what I see in a local grocery store.
They re selling backs of groceries for food banks. They claim there is $5 worth
of groceries in the bags that they are selling for the incredibly low price of
.....$5. I wonder if they figure that people will consider them to be charitable
for selling those things at retail prices. Personally, I thought it was a little
tacky of them to try to market the charity of their customers.

"Dave Smith" > wrote

> Sounds like good idea. Much better that what I see in a local grocery
> store.
> They re selling backs of groceries for food banks. They claim there is $5
> worth
> of groceries in the bags that they are selling for the incredibly low
> price of
> ....$5. I wonder if they figure that people will consider them to be
> charitable
> for selling those things at retail prices. Personally, I thought it was a
> little
> tacky of them to try to market the charity of their customers.

Huh. At times during the year my store will put together bags for $5 with
food that sells for some $20. To go to the local soup kitchen, of course.
I remember commenting how they hustled the bag away as if I was trying
to get a five finger discount. Still, a nice idea.

nancy

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

In article >,
Damsel > wrote:

snip
>
> 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.

You can also put non-perishable ethnic food in your bag, especially if
you live in a high-diversity place like Seattle. Things like refried
beans or rice noodles for noodle bowls. One-pound sacks of dried beans.
Unsalted and/or low sugar peanut butter.

A friend of ours used to work for a food bank in the area. This food
bank gives classes for clients on how to use the things in their food
package, and one pot dishes that are easy to make.
>
> 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.
>
Our church routinely does Christmas presents for homeless teenagers.
Last year I chose someone who wanted a collar and leash for a dog. In
addition to those items, I included a couple of cans of dog food.

Cindy

--
C.J. Fuller

Delete the obvious to email me

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.
>

I just thought of something else. Shortening and/or vegetable oil. For
some reason I never think of this when it comes time to fill the bag up.

Jill

Andy wrote:
> It's a great thing the USPS does this! It just serves as a proof that
> it's too easy to help the needy.
>
> I always put a case of canned baked beans in my mailbox for food bank.
>
You can fit a case of beans in your mailbox? Must be one honkin' big
mailbox, Andy!

Jill

jmcquown wrote:
> Okay, it's that time again. And I was reminded by a PSA from the U.S.
> Postal Service - next Saturday, May 14th, if you put a bag or box of food by
> the mailbox the postal carrier will pick it up. (This is assuming the
> neighborhood kids don't break into the bag/box in the meantime, which is
> what happened to me.)
>
> Check with your local food bank about what items they will accept and what
> they have the most need for.
>
> 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.
>
> Jill <--been there, done that


Thanks for the reminder.

I always try to keep a few cans of beets, spinach, lima beans, etc. on
hand for when the Scouts or the Post Office has a food drive.

There's a can of jack mackeral in the pantry that I bought a year or two
ago and still haven't figured out what to do with, but I think that
would be a little too "over the top".

Best regards, ;-)
Bob

"zxcvbob" > wrote in message
...
> jmcquown wrote:
> > Okay, it's that time again. And I was reminded by a PSA from the U.S.
> > Postal Service - next Saturday, May 14th, if you put a bag or box of
food by
> > the mailbox the postal carrier will pick it up.
> >
> > Check with your local food bank about what items they will accept and
what
> > they have the most need for.
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > Jill <--been there, done that
>
>
> Thanks for the reminder.
>
> I always try to keep a few cans of beets, spinach, lima beans, etc. on
> hand for when the Scouts or the Post Office has a food drive.
>
> There's a can of jack mackeral in the pantry that I bought a year or two
> ago and still haven't figured out what to do with, but I think that
> would be a little too "over the top".
>
> Best regards, ;-)
> Bob

Matter of fact, back in 1983 I got my first (and last) can of Jack Mackerel
from the food pantry. I had no idea what to do with it. Later I went to
work with a woman who, every time she mentioned making salmon patties or
croquettes, invariably said "mackerel". So I guess that's what it's good
for Give it up, Bob!

Jill

jmcquown wrote:

> Okay, it's that time again. And I was reminded by a PSA from the U.S.
> Postal Service - next Saturday, May 14th, if you put a bag or box of food by
> the mailbox the postal carrier will pick it up. (This is assuming the
> neighborhood kids don't break into the bag/box in the meantime, which is
> what happened to me.)
>
> Check with your local food bank about what items they will accept and what
> they have the most need for.
>
> 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.
>
> Jill <--been there, done that
> --
> I used to have a handle on life...but it broke off.

I'll probably drop off a case of baby formula. The soy variety works good, with
iron if I can find it.
Edrena

..

"jmcquown" > wrote in news:72bge.8063$7A2.1490
@bignews6.bellsouth.net:

> Andy wrote:
>> It's a great thing the USPS does this! It just serves as a proof that
>> it's too easy to help the needy.
>>
>> I always put a case of canned baked beans in my mailbox for food bank.
>>
> You can fit a case of beans in your mailbox? Must be one honkin' big
> mailbox, Andy!
>
> Jill


Jill,

I'll post a picture to afb. I only fetch my mail once a year. It's not
the distance, but the climb!

)

Andy

zxcvbob > said:

>I always try to keep a few cans of beets, spinach, lima beans, etc. on
>hand for when the Scouts or the Post Office has a food drive.

You're joking, I hope!

Carol

The Joneses > said:

>I'll probably drop off a case of baby formula. The soy variety works good, with
>iron if I can find it.

Some babies get horribly painful cramps from the iron. Mine did. Just a
point to ponder.

Carol

On Tue, 10 May 2005 15:53:03 -0500, 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.
>
good suggestions snipped
>Carol
Hey Carol where do you get precooked hamburger??? This is the second
time in a week that I've heard it mentioned and I have never seen
any...inquiring minds wanna know!
Thanks for any enlightenment you can give me.

Sue D.

Sue D. > said:

>Hey Carol where do you get precooked hamburger??? This is the second
>time in a week that I've heard it mentioned and I have never seen
>any...inquiring minds wanna know!
>
>Thanks for any enlightenment you can give me.

I really have no idea where you find it. Maybe in the canned meat section
of the store? I've never really looked. The package we got from the food
shelf came in a large, flat foil packet that was vacuum sealed so you can
see the lumps of meat. We haven't tried it. Sorry I couldn't be of more
help. I hope you find it. I imagine it would be great for camping.

Carol

Lima beans and canned spinach were very popular at the food bank I
worked at before my big move. Most of our Hispanic immigrant customers
went for those items - as well as the jack mackerel.

Sandi

Damsel wrote:
> The Joneses > said:
>
> >I'll probably drop off a case of baby formula. The soy variety
works good, with
> >iron if I can find it.
>
> Some babies get horribly painful cramps from the iron. Mine did.
Just a
> point to ponder.
>
> Carol


So did mine...combined with probelms with milk. She ended up on low
iron soy.

Sandi

"Sandi" > said:

>Lima beans and canned spinach were very popular at the food bank I
>worked at before my big move. Most of our Hispanic immigrant customers
>went for those items - as well as the jack mackerel.

Wow! I never would have guessed that those would be such popular items. I
guess it all depends on where you live, huh?

Carol

Damsel wrote:

> Sue D. > said:
>
> >Hey Carol where do you get precooked hamburger??? This is the second
> >time in a week that I've heard it mentioned and I have never seen
> >any...inquiring minds wanna know!
> >
> >Thanks for any enlightenment you can give me.
>
> I really have no idea where you find it. Maybe in the canned meat section
> of the store? I've never really looked. The package we got from the food
> shelf came in a large, flat foil packet that was vacuum sealed so you can
> see the lumps of meat. We haven't tried it. Sorry I couldn't be of more
> help. I hope you find it. I imagine it would be great for camping.
>
> Carol

I got some in one of those new foil packages (like tuna comes in now), about
12 oz or so. In various flavors. But the immediate descendant tells me it
tastes terrible. The only time he ever gave food back! I suppose when you
ain't got much else to eat - and maybe he could have doctored the taste up.
But that's too much like cooking. I was too chicken to taste it. Gave all to
the food bank.
Edrena

Sandi wrote:

> Damsel wrote:
> > The Joneses > said:
> >
> > >I'll probably drop off a case of baby formula. The soy variety
> works good, with
> > >iron if I can find it.
> >
> > Some babies get horribly painful cramps from the iron. Mine did.
> Just a
> > point to ponder.
> >
> > Carol
>
> So did mine...combined with probelms with milk. She ended up on low
> iron soy.
>
> Sandi

Good points. Been a long time since I took care of a baby.
Edrena

Sandi wrote:
> Lima beans and canned spinach were very popular at the food bank I
> worked at before my big move. Most of our Hispanic immigrant customers
> went for those items - as well as the jack mackerel.
>
> Sandi

And where have you been, young lady? (please don't reply "Honduras" LOL)

Jill

On Wed, 11 May 2005 04:38:52 GMT, The Joneses >
wrote:

>Damsel wrote:
>
>> Sue D. > said:
>>
>> >Hey Carol where do you get precooked hamburger??? This is the second
>> >time in a week that I've heard it mentioned and I have never seen
>> >any...inquiring minds wanna know!
>> >
>> >Thanks for any enlightenment you can give me.
>>
>> I really have no idea where you find it. Maybe in the canned meat section
>> of the store? I've never really looked. The package we got from the food
>> shelf came in a large, flat foil packet that was vacuum sealed so you can
>> see the lumps of meat. We haven't tried it. Sorry I couldn't be of more
>> help. I hope you find it. I imagine it would be great for camping.
>>
>> Carol
>
>I got some in one of those new foil packages (like tuna comes in now), about
>12 oz or so. In various flavors. But the immediate descendant tells me it
>tastes terrible. The only time he ever gave food back! I suppose when you
>ain't got much else to eat - and maybe he could have doctored the taste up.
>But that's too much like cooking. I was too chicken to taste it. Gave all to
>the food bank.
>Edrena
>
Thanks for you two's input...I had seen some one ask for it on the
"anysoldier" website. That's why I was curious. Never knew such
an animal existed.
Sue D.

One time on Usenet, Sue D. > said:
> On Wed, 11 May 2005 04:38:52 GMT, The Joneses >
> wrote:
> >Damsel wrote:
> >> Sue D. > said:

> >> >Hey Carol where do you get precooked hamburger??? This is the second
> >> >time in a week that I've heard it mentioned and I have never seen
> >> >any...inquiring minds wanna know!

> >> I really have no idea where you find it. Maybe in the canned meat section
> >> of the store? I've never really looked. The package we got from the food
> >> shelf came in a large, flat foil packet that was vacuum sealed so you can
> >> see the lumps of meat. We haven't tried it. Sorry I couldn't be of more
> >> help. I hope you find it. I imagine it would be great for camping.

> >I got some in one of those new foil packages (like tuna comes in now), about
> >12 oz or so. In various flavors. But the immediate descendant tells me it
> >tastes terrible. The only time he ever gave food back! I suppose when you
> >ain't got much else to eat - and maybe he could have doctored the taste up.
> >But that's too much like cooking. I was too chicken to taste it. Gave all to
> >the food bank.

> Thanks for you two's input...I had seen some one ask for it on the
> "anysoldier" website. That's why I was curious. Never knew such
> an animal existed.

I found pre-cooked hamburger at WalMart here in WA -- it was
cheaper than fresh, so I bought a package for my tiny pantry.
When we got around to using it, DH and DS said it wasn't very
good. (I wasn't home and didn't have any.) I won't be buying
it again...

--
Jani in WA ~ mom, vid gamer, novice cook ~

"Sue D." > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
>
> Hey Carol where do you get precooked hamburger??? This is the second
> time in a week that I've heard it mentioned and I have never seen
> any...inquiring minds wanna know!
> Thanks for any enlightenment you can give me.

In TX, you can find pre-cooked hamburger at H-E-B supermarkets (in the
meat dept.).

Mary

Hey gang......why not just make food cheaper in the stores? Or better
yet, take all the waste, broken,dented, product, and have a food kitchen
in every town for free food for anyone who wants it? American grocers
waste so much food anyway.
Wall mart, throws out many dollars in their incinerator every day....!



<html><body bgcolor="black"


text="white"></html>

wrote in news:20944-4283B1E4-282@storefull-
3131.bay.webtv.net:

> Hey gang......why not just make food cheaper in the stores? Or better
> yet, take all the waste, broken,dented, product, and have a food
kitchen
> in every town for free food for anyone who wants it? American grocers
> waste so much food anyway.
> Wall mart, throws out many dollars in their incinerator every day....!

Similar to your wasted keystrokes bringing this to our attention instead
of theirs!!?

Bonehead!

Andy

--
"Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles!"
- Ed Sullivan (1964)

jmcquown wrote:
> Sandi wrote:
> > Lima beans and canned spinach were very popular at the food bank I
> > worked at before my big move. Most of our Hispanic immigrant
customers
> > went for those items - as well as the jack mackerel.
> >
> > Sandi
>
> And where have you been, young lady? (please don't reply "Honduras"
LOL)
>
> Jill

busy with school. I have 6 different science classes that I teach. 5
and 6 grade general science, 7th grade life science, 8th grade earth
science, 10th grade biology, 11 grade biology.

We also had school anniversary celebrations in April, final exams and
erport cards in April. We=B4re 3/4 of the way through the last quarter
so final exams and report cards are fast approaching again. I'm also
preparing plans for those who will need to go to summer school. At
least one senior won=B4t be graduating since he failed biology. Three
sixth graders won=B4t be leaving primary school because they failed
science.

And...on top of all of that, we=B4ve been looking for a car. Found one
(1977 Land Rover) and now we are running around doing the bank loan
thing. If you think it is a pain in the butt in the US, try it in a
foreign country in a different language.

Sandi

"jmcquown" > wrote in
:

> Okay, it's that time again. And I was reminded by a PSA from the U.S.
> Postal Service - next Saturday, May 14th, if you put a bag or box of
> food by the mailbox the postal carrier will pick it up.

I have my case of beans ready to go, but I was in BJs Wholesale today and
bought 3 100-count boxes of Tootsie Pops.

I'm donating them to the food bank too.

My thinking behind this is that after a needy family has a dinner, the
kids will have a lollipop when they leave. And if I remember correctly,
when a kid takes their first lick, that lollypop is theirs for the next
20 minutes or so.

Now, how many kids does that kid see with a delicious lollipop? So for a
few short minutes, 300 kids will be on top of the world, imho.

Andy
Sucker

Nancy Young wrote:

>
> Huh. At times during the year my store will put together bags for $5 with
> food that sells for some $20. To go to the local soup kitchen, of course.
> I remember commenting how they hustled the bag away as if I was trying
> to get a five finger discount. Still, a nice idea.

That is a more charitable gesture. I would be thrilled enough if it was only
$10 worth of goods for $5, but I just thought that it was tacky to prey on the
charity of their customers to be trying to make a profit on what was being
marketed as a charity.