When most people think about donating to a food bank, they reach for canned vegetables, pasta, or a jar of peanut butter. Those are useful donations, but they’re not the only things that can make a difference for someone trying to stretch a tight budget.
Families who visit food banks still need to buy diapers, do laundry, prepare meals, and care for their pets. Those everyday expenses don’t disappear when groceries become difficult to afford.
New Hampshire Charitable Donation asked people working at food pantries and soup kitchens what they wished they had more of and highlighted several easily overlooked donations, including spices, personal care products, specialty foods, and coffee. The responses remind us that a well-stocked pantry needs more than the usual canned goods.
Of course, every organization has different needs and donation policies. Before filling a bag with supplies, check your local food bank’s current wish list or call to ask what it can accept.
Money to purchase what’s missing
A financial contribution might not feel as personal as dropping off a bag of groceries, but it gives a food bank the flexibility to respond to what people need right now.
Donations can help organizations purchase food in bulk, fill gaps in their inventory, and cover expenses such as transportation, refrigeration, and storage. They can also use the funds to purchase items that aren’t coming in through community food drives.
If you’re unsure what to bring, ask whether your local food bank would prefer a monetary donation.
Soap, shampoo, and other personal care products
A family may receive enough food to get through the week and still struggle to afford shampoo, deodorant, or toilet paper.
These everyday essentials can take a significant bite out of a limited household budget. They’re also easy to forget when the donation bin at the grocery store is labeled as a food drive.
Unopened soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and menstrual products may be helpful additions if your local pantry distributes nonfood supplies. SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase household supplies or hygiene products, making these items particularly important for families relying on food assistance.
Diapers and baby supplies
Anyone who has purchased diapers knows how quickly the cost adds up. Add baby wipes, formula, and other infant essentials, and parents can face a substantial weekly expense before buying groceries for the rest of the family.
Some food banks and community pantries distribute diapers, wipes, and unopened baby food or formula. Others may direct those donations to a diaper bank or another organization that specializes in supporting families with young children.
Check the organization’s guidelines before purchasing formula or baby food, since expiration dates, packaging, and storage requirements matter.
Cooking oil and everyday seasonings
A bag of rice and a can of beans can make a filling meal, but it’s easier to prepare when you also have cooking oil and a few basic seasonings.
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, cinnamon, and other common spices can help families make different meals from the same inexpensive ingredients. Cooking oil is another practical item that people often overlook when they focus on donating food rather than the supplies needed to prepare it.
Choose unopened, clearly labeled products in sizes that are easy for a household to use. If you’re considering bulk spices, ask whether your local pantry has a safe way to divide and distribute them.
Foods for people with dietary restrictions
A pantry shelf filled with pasta, crackers, and canned soup may offer limited choices for someone who needs to avoid gluten or a particular allergen.
Gluten-free pasta, clearly labeled allergen-free products, and foods suitable for specific dietary needs can help organizations offer more options to the people they serve.
Rather than guessing which specialty products would be useful, ask your local food bank what requests it receives most often. An item that’s hard to find at one pantry may already be well stocked at another.
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Shelf-stable foods are convenient to collect and distribute, but fresh produce gives families more options for meal prep.
Apples, carrots, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables may be welcome donations at organizations equipped to receive and store them. Some pantries also work with local farms or gardeners who contribute part of their harvest.
If you grow your own food, ask whether your local pantry accepts homegrown produce before dropping it off. Fresh food needs prompt delivery and handling according to the organization’s guidelines.
Related: The Dirtiest Fruits and Vegetables You’re Probably Eating
Canned, dried, and other easy-to-store fruit
Fresh produce isn’t the only way to add fruit to a pantry’s offerings. Canned peaches, applesauce, raisins, and other shelf-stable options can be easier to store and distribute.
These items also give families choices that require little or no preparation. Individual portions may be useful for packed lunches, while larger containers can serve multiple people at home.
Look for unopened products with clear ingredient labels and plenty of time remaining before their expiration or best-by dates.
Related: 7 Canned Foods Frugal People Always Buy
Nuts, crackers, and simple snacks
Food donations often focus on ingredients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, leaving fewer snack options between meals.
Nuts, crackers, and similar shelf-stable foods can be convenient for someone who needs something quick to eat or has limited cooking facilities. Peanut butter and other nut products may also provide a useful source of protein.
Because allergies are a concern, keep products in their original packaging so recipients can review the ingredient information. Check with the pantry before donating foods that require special allergen handling.
Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
Coffee and tea might not be the first things that come to mind when shopping for a food drive, but they can be welcome additions to a household’s pantry.
Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are among the items pantry workers wished they had more of. These familiar comforts can be especially appreciated during colder months, when a warm drink is part of many people’s daily routine.
Unopened ground coffee, tea bags, and shelf-stable drink mixes are practical options, as long as your local organization accepts them.
Laundry detergent and cleaning supplies
Keeping a household running involves more than putting food on the table. Families also need to wash dishes, clean their homes, and keep up with laundry.
Dish soap, laundry detergent, paper towels, and other cleaning supplies can be expensive to replace, particularly when several essentials run out at once.
Not all food banks have the space or facilities to distribute household products, so check before donating them. Smaller, unopened containers may be easier for some organizations to store and hand out than oversized packages.
Pet food for families with animals
For a household with a dog or cat, pet food is another regular expense that can be difficult to manage when money is tight.
Some food banks accept unopened pet food or partner with local pet food pantries to help families care for their animals. Others focus exclusively on food for people and may not have a way to distribute pet supplies.
A quick call can help you find out whether pet food belongs on your local pantry’s wish list or would be more useful at a nearby animal welfare organization.
Volunteers to sort, pack, and distribute donations
You don’t have to purchase anything to help a food bank. Many organizations also depend on volunteers to sort incoming donations, stock shelves, pack grocery boxes, and assist with distribution.
Some opportunities involve regular shifts, while others are available during food drives or seasonal events. The type of help needed will depend on the organization and how it serves the community.
If you have time to give, check your local food bank’s volunteer page or ask about upcoming opportunities.
Source: What Food Banks Need but Don’t Ask For
