11/21/2021
As we begin Thanksgiving week here in the greater Spokane area, our thoughts turn to gratitude for our lives and the bountiful gifts of this world. We are also challenged to focus on sharing out of our bounty with those who struggle to meet the reoccurring essentials of life.
The following information is adapted from an oft shared Facebook post in which the author reports spending some time at a Food Bank and speaking to the people getting food. Here are some things she learned from those in need along with additional comments from a worker in a small town food bank in south Idaho:
💗1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks. (USDA does provide milk and butter, but not all the time.)
💓2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
💗3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles. (USDA provides these regularly.)
4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops. (Most have can openers that are regulars because they have to depend on shelf stable food.)
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of. (Oil is needed.)
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift. (Seasonings are really appreciated, seldom provided.)
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care. (They love to see tea and coffee. We seldom have it donated.)
8. Sugar and flour are treats. (These are rarely seen from USDA. Much appreciated.)
9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores. (Absolutely!)
10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some. (Yes.)
11. They rarely get fresh meat. (We get frozen chicken often from USDA.)
12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch. (We usually have canned beef, pork, or chicken. Sometimes we get canned salmon. Not usually tuna fish.)
13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef. (We rarely get ground beef.)
14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread. (We get peanut butter once in a while, but seldom get jelly.)
💓15. Butter or margarine is nice too. (USDA has been providing butter lately, but we always run out before the end of the month.)
💓16. Eggs are a real commodity. (Fresh eggs are rarely donated and very much wanted.)
17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. (Sweets are not donated often. Cakes, icing, or cookie mixes are much appreciated.)
18. Dish detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated. (For sure, they cannot be purchased with food stamps.)
19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that. (Yes, as well as Depends for the elderly, and all personal care items in, shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.)
20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing. (Yes.)
In all the years I have donated food at the Holidays, I bought what I thought they wanted, but have never asked. If you are helping a family or food bank this holiday season, this list may provide insight for tailoring your gifting.
*Happy Holidays 💕💕💋
