WHAT TO BRING
PANTRY DONATION SUGGESTIONS:
*All suggestions: preferably plant-based and organic [if available/cost-efficient]*
- Canned produce and veggies (like beans!)
- Canned soups, like garden vegetable, black bean, and butternut squash
- Baby food in pouches
- Many food pantries will accept fresh produce, but always check beforehand
- Peanut butter, or peanut-free alternatives such as almond or cashew butter
- Dried pastas (especially whole-grain) and dried whole grains like brown rice, farro, and quinoa (they are long-lasting and versatile)
- Popcorn (this whole grain makes a healthy snack when lightly seasoned)
- Flour and/or whole-wheat flour (a staple that allows for more flexibility in meals)
- Oatmeal, healthy breakfast cereals, and granola bars
- Variety of bready items, such as whole-wheat bread, naan, pita bread, and corn tortillas
SAFETY FIRST:
Please follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines for washing hands before and after handling food or coming into contact with high-touch surfaces (like pantry door handles).
As the CDC has stated: “There is no evidence to suggest that handling food or consuming food is associated with COVID-19. Follow food safety guidelines when handling and cleaning fresh produce. Do not wash produce with soap, bleach, sanitizer, alcohol, disinfectant, or any other chemical.”
More Info
- Feeding America has a network of 200 food banks across the US, and this map to find the closest one to you!
- Behind Feeding America, the top two largest food banks in the US are Feed the Children and Midwest Food Bank, which operate across multiple states and focus on disaster relief — including pandemics.
When in doubt, use your phone! GPS navigation apps like Apple Maps and Waze can help you find your nearest food bank or pantry.
- Remember to food bank website before dropping anything off, as some distributors have only been accepting monetary donations as a precaution against COVID-19
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