People kind of forget about the food banks when summer comes.

Families need more food. We give out a special bag for each child that includes things that might make good lunches for kids like canned soup, peanut butter, etc.

especially about the kids.

knew from her previous volunteer work at the foodbank. She has kids, how many I am not sure because like many cases, she has hers and some others. I asked how it was going and she informed me they were living out of their pickup. Sure enough when I helped take her food to the pickup, in the back were their belongings in plastic tubs. Some times friends let them stay in their driveways or they can park at a few church parking lots.

but brings up another good point...many people don't have a access to a kitchen. Monday I'm going to put together some stuff and drop it my local foodbank with this in mind. Going to go back to my post in C&B to see if I can get some more ideas.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1157&pid=9167

We try to include cans that dont need can openers and cans of soup, pork and beans, chili, ravioli, etc. Also canned meat when we can afford it like tuna, salmon, canned pork, corned beef, etc.

Dont forget petfood. See post 7.

and will get some pet food.

donate small toothpastes and tooth brushes (not for the pets, although my vet told me to brush my cat's teeth. Can you imagine trying to get a cat to sit still for that?)

Our local food bank is a $1 million/month operation run by a wonderful director who is highly effective.

'Bake' and I often find ourselves volunteering together at community events--the last time at an event by a group that brought together equestrians and Harley riders (!) to raise funds for our quarterly outreach to homeless veterans.

The funny thing is that when I see Bake, he always asks me if I need any help and offers whatever assistance I might require (though I suspect he says that to almost everyone).

Bake also is a minister, but I don't think he'd mind my saying that he's a hell of a guy--and he's about to receive another donation.

Thanks for the reminder, rhett o rick.

First that's bunk if you know how a pet can save your life by just being there when no one else is.

Also, some of our clients accumulate pets that are left by others that are forced to move away.

Many food banks/pantries are beginning to realize how important that aspect is.

They allow earmarking of donations for certain programs, but I trust my director and his board to appy the funds where they are needed most.

Thanks again for the reminder.

Granola bars, muesli, trail mix and other easy food items that pack nutrition into every bite are also good along with the many other great suggestions already put forward.

Thank you rhett o rick for this thread. Its so important that we don't forget those who need help.

K&R

It feels a little crass to give money, but most food banks can get LITERALLY ten times the food per dollar. A can of peas that cost a dollar at the store for you and me, most food banks can get for about ten cents. Even if you're insistent that you only give food, it can't hurt to call and ask what they need -- that way, even if you only give items, they get the correct items.

And for God's sake, give people something hey might actually want to eat! We went to a food bank maybe 15 years ago. While VERY appreciative (especially for the diapers), we walked out of there with a box of pre-fried tortillas, two cans of blueberry pie filling, a couple of unlabeled mystery cans, and a jar of pickled okra. We didn't starve, granted, and we're thankful for that, but it's really hard to feed a family of four with that.

Not so. Food banks usually give out enough food for the family to get by for 3 or 4 days a month.