Food Banks See A Decrease In Donations - What can we do?

[princesspeach]

I'm a law student currently living on just-above minimum wage from a job as a cashier and in the fall will only have student loans, so all we can afford to donate is what I get for free or as MMs through couponing.

We'll soon be taking our first bag to the food bank, and although it's not much it still makes me feel good to donate to families in need. I recently got several boxes of rice and instant mashed potatoes for free and got 25 tubes of toothpaste as a $0.53 MM each, so I'll be donating a large portion of that. Once I graduate from law school and have a stable income I plan to donate money, because I know the food banks can stretch $1 more than even an experienced couponer can, but it still feels good to know that there's SOMETHING I can do.

[ELLE-TN]

I'm a law student currently living on just-above minimum wage from a job as a cashier and in the fall will only have student loans, so all we can afford to donate is what I get for free or as MMs through couponing.

We'll soon be taking our first bag to the food bank, and although it's not much it still makes me feel good to donate to families in need. I recently got several boxes of rice and instant mashed potatoes for free and got 25 tubes of toothpaste as a $0.53 MM each, so I'll be donating a large portion of that. Once I graduate from law school and have a stable income I plan to donate money, because I know the food banks can stretch $1 more than even an experienced couponer can, but it still feels good to know that there's SOMETHING I can do.

Awesome!

[egbok]

I know that schools are out now but for those in year-round schools that will be starting up soon....

most schools (elementary mostly but also middle schools) have a "backpack buddy" system where they give bags of food to kids that would otherwise go hungry. If you can't get to the food bank, consider donating to this instead. Foods that the kids can serve themselves are best like fruit cups, pudding cups, etc.

I've found if I can spend an extra couple of bucks a week, I can have a good amount of stuff to donate to both the food bank and to backpack buddies.

[MNhousewives]

Well done! I think its equally important to give back when you have the gift of making dollars go farther than most. It's a nice talent to have!!

[kymberly21]

The food Pantries in my Area are awesome! If you receive Food Stamps and Hud, You can not get food or Christmas Assistance. You are already receiving more than enough help.

But if you are getting just Food stamps they will give you a few days worth of food but you have to bring in a lot of paperwork. There is even a place that does nothing but household cleaners, diapers , wipes, laundry soap etc. You can only go once a month to the Food Pantries and Once a month to the Household Items Pantry.

Since we do not get alot of food items here, I can donate more Personal care and Household cleaning products. They are needed just as much as food.

[ELLE-TN]

The food Pantries in my Area are awesome! If you receive Food Stamps and Hud, You can not get food or Christmas Assistance. You are already receiving more than enough help.

But if you are getting just Food stamps they will give you a few days worth of food but you have to bring in a lot of paperwork. There is even a place that does nothing but household cleaners, diapers , wipes, laundry soap etc. You can only go once a month to the Food Pantries and Once a month to the Household Items Pantry.

Since we do not get alot of food items here, I can donate more Personal care and Household cleaning products. They are needed just as much as food.

A household items pantry is a fabulous idea. I would love to start one of these in my community

[kymberly21]

A household items pantry is a fabulous idea. I would love to start one of these in my community

I would not be surprised if the Local place isnt ready and willing and only in need of Donations. I would gather a group of 10 Local Couponers and see how much 10 of you could reasonably donate on a Month to Month basis and then go speak with them about setting something up.

You could set it up that it is by appointment only. 1-2 days a month. Then twice a month you and the couponers go in and drop off everything you have collected. Over time other people would become aware that those items are also in need for people struggling.

I could see a large room completely filled with tables snaking through the room, and each family being given a List of what they can take per family. And being allowed to shop. Because each family has preferences and allergies etc. Being able to take the brands they would normally chose would really make people feel better. There is also the consideration that if the item is a off brand it will probably be tossed by a picky person at their next pay check. So being allowed to pick their normal Brand makes it more likely the item would be used up.

This would also be a good place to give personal hygiene items, and OTC medications. Zyrtec, Tylenol , Advil etc.

And partnering with a Already established place would avoid costly paperwork to file as a 501(C)
Well that is just MHO. And actually what I have done when I become overloaded with items. Everyone who shops my Dinning room Kicks in a few bucks to help cover Gas and more Newspapers and comes back every few months.

[kimmie121671]

All of my excess food items go to my local food pantry. (NY) and all of my other stuff like toothpaste, toothbrushes, makeup, body wash, razors, deodorant and other items go to our local Mission which helps many people. We only keep a few things for ourselves and donate so much more! I believe that giving back is something we all need to do. Someone once said (i believe it was on the couponing show) that there is no reason that people are hungry because if you can get so much for so little. Now i want to show people who need help how to coupon to get what i get!

[mamato3_10]

Right now any of my extra food or stuff i give to my sister who is in need of help but cant find a place to help her. Her bills are are what she makes a month so there is little money for food or other things. If she cant use it i donate it.