12 Effective Ways to Support Your Local Food Bank

Over 34 million Americans experience food insecurity, lacking consistent access to nutritious and safe meals. While food banks constantly require nonperishable items, many people only think about donating during holiday seasons such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although donating canned goods and pasta is helpful, there are numerous other ways to contribute meaningfully. Here are 12 actionable steps to assist your local food bank.

1. Offer Your Time as a Volunteer.

Dedicating just a few hours each month to volunteering can greatly benefit food banks, which often operate with limited staff and tight budgets. Volunteers are essential for tasks like sorting donations, organizing shelves, cooking meals, distributing food, and delivering packages. If you possess specialized skills, such as bookkeeping or digital expertise, your local food bank might also need assistance in those areas—don’t hesitate to ask how you can help.

2. Organize a donation drive for your local pantry.

Autumn is perfect for gatherings with family and friends, so consider hosting an event centered around helping those in need. Invite your guests to bring nonperishable food items along. While enjoying each other’s company, your loved ones will also be making a positive impact. Once the event concludes, deliver the collected donations to your nearest food bank.

3. Make a financial contribution.

Since food banks primarily depend on donations to support those in need, financial contributions can make a significant impact. Food banks purchase food at wholesale or discounted rates, allowing them to acquire large quantities of food with minimal funds. Some even have matching agreements with manufacturers, where donations are matched with additional funds or food. If a food bank has an abundance of staples like rice and beans but lacks fresh produce, your monetary donation can help bridge those gaps.

4. Check if your employer offers a matching gift initiative.

Many large companies run matching gift programs, where they match employee donations to charitable organizations. If your workplace provides this benefit, complete the necessary forms to leverage your employer’s generosity and potentially double your contribution. Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the U.S., is an excellent choice for donations, especially when paired with your company’s matching policy.

5. Donate in someone else’s name during the holidays.

While physical gifts are often the go-to for holidays and birthdays, consider making a charitable donation in someone’s honor instead. Feeding America provides an eCard to notify recipients of your donation. Additionally, memorial donations can serve as a meaningful way to honor a loved one’s memory and encourage others to contribute as well.

6. Avoid donating items that your food bank cannot utilize.

Before contributing food to your local food bank, reach out to confirm their specific needs. Most food banks do not accept opened containers, expired products, homemade meals, or alcoholic beverages. Prioritize durable packaging like metal cans or plastic containers over fragile glass jars, and focus on providing nutritious, long-lasting items such as rice, beans, oatmeal, peanut butter, pasta, and canned vegetables.

7. If you enjoy gardening, check if your local food bank welcomes fresh produce donations.

Depending on a food bank’s capacity and location, there may be a demand for fresh produce like carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, and peppers. Ample Harvest encourages home gardeners to grow an additional row of vegetables specifically for donation and provides tools to locate nearby pantries that can accept your harvest.

8. Broaden your donation perspective.

While food banks primarily focus on providing meals, many also welcome cosmetics and hygiene products. In addition to canned goods, consider donating baby food, diapers, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, soap, and toothpaste. If you’re unsure about a specific item, contact your local food bank in advance to confirm their acceptance and need.

9. Remember to include spices and condiments.

While food banks often receive an abundance of staple foods, they frequently run low on spices and condiments. Items like salt, pepper, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, and Sriracha are versatile additions that can enhance meals and are great to donate alongside food.

10. Reach out to your congressional representative.

Communicate with your local and state officials via phone, email, or letter to emphasize the critical role food banks play in addressing hunger in your community. Before reaching out, familiarize yourself with current legislation and explore ways to advocate for hunger relief initiatives.

11. Organize the donation of leftover food from your event.

Certain venues enforce strict policies regarding leftover food from catered events. When planning a holiday gathering with catering, opt for a location that doesn’t discard excess food due to health or liability concerns. If your local food bank cannot accept leftovers, inquire if they can recommend another organization that welcomes such donations.

12. Keep in mind that hunger persists throughout the year.

While supporting your local food bank during Thanksgiving and Christmas is commendable, many food banks face shortages in the summer despite having surpluses in the fall and winter. Hunger is a year-round issue, so consider donating consistently—perhaps on the first of each month or by spreading contributions evenly across the year.

Originally published in 2016, this article has been updated for 2022.