If you’re looking for a great way to help needy people, you can donate toiletries to food banks. Many have wish lists or websites you can visit to see their needs. Those in need greatly appreciate toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and diapers. Alcohol-free toiletries are preferred.
Avoid donating foods past their “use-by” or “sell-by” date.
Foods with expired “use-by” or “sell-by” dates can be valuable for food pantries. Some food manufacturers donate expired items to food pantries, and others sell them at discount prices. These foods can also be found at surplus grocery stores, bargain outlets, and food-salvage stores. By donating these items, you’re donating food to people in need and helping the environment.
If you’ve gone through your pantry, chances are you’ve discovered some foods beyond their “use-by” or “sell-by” date. Instead of throwing them out, donate them to a food bank, food pantries, and meal kitchens. These organizations will then distribute the food to community members. You can contact your local food bank for advice and donation information.
Always read the “use-by” or “sell-by” dates on packages when donating food. Foods that have a use-by or “sell-by” date may still contain food spoilage bacteria. Food pantries may have a problem handling expired food. Despite the importance of sanitary storage and proper distribution, food pantries face difficult decisions.
While the “best-if-used-by” date may be a helpful guide to how long you can continue to eat food, there is no way to be sure that it is safe to donate. “Best-if-used-by” dates are subjective estimates determined by food manufacturers. You may be able to eat food that is past its use-by or “sell-by” date if the taste or texture has not gone bad.
Avoid donating sweets
A critical tip for donating toiletries to a food bank is to avoid bringing sweets. Food bank staff may be tempted to slip a few treats into your bag of donations, but don’t do it! Instead, get healthy and nutritious gifts such as powdered milk or baby food. The food bank needs various nutritious items, not candy or sweets.
Avoid donating glass jars.
Avoid donating glass jars for toiletries when donating items to a food bank. These jars tend to shatter during transport and could be dangerous to distribute. In addition, glass jars can be unlabeled and may contain expired or damaged items. Food banks only accept packaged items, such as toiletries, food, and beverages. Also, avoid donating items that are expired or have an incorrect expiration date.
Another item to avoid donating to a food bank is a baby formula in glass jars. Baby formula is not acceptable because food banks often buy a specific brand of formula for local communities. Also, baby formula is unsuitable for food banks’ donations because it can spoil quickly. Other items that may not be acceptable are meat and produce, which require refrigeration. Some food banks can keep these items cold or freeze them, but you should check their policies before donating.
Avoid donating baby food.
Donating baby food to a food bank is a great way to help people in need, but knowing what you shouldn’t donate is essential. Many food banks don’t accept baby food donated in glass containers. This is because the containers can break easily and can spoil other donations. If you want to donate baby food, it should be packaged in plastic or paper bags. The packaging should also be intact. If you are still determining whether a food product is acceptable, you can call your local food bank.
Another popular donation item is diapers, but most food banks tend to run out of these items. Donating diapers can be a good idea if you have an extra package. You can also grant baby formula, but ensure that you package it in a non-breakable container instead of a glass jar. You can also take coupons for free recipes and use them to donate them to a food bank.
Before donating baby formula, make sure you check with the food bank in your area. Some food banks will only accept certain brands. Make sure you check whether the food bank accepts glass jars of baby formula.
