Reply to Food Bank donations in lieu of gifts

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Just an FYI at the food pantry I volunteer at nobody wants the canned goods. They specifically ask us to not give them and if we do they leave them outside. So if you're going to do this at least ask for something useful like cereal, fruit cups, juice, rice and dry beans. Hispanics are a big portion of the customer base and they do not like peanut butter or boxes Mac and cheese so stay away from that too. [/quote]

I think I volunteer with you!  These one-off canned food drives are generally not helpful if not coordinated with us in advance. We'd very much like to give you a list of our most-needed items (can vary weekly) and our general policies (no glass jars, no Costco-sized packages, no green beans, no pie fillings, no gravy mixes, etc.).  Then, we will have to schedule a time for you to deliver your donations, likely after school when it is hectic.  You'll want to stop to talk to us, ask a million questions and...sorry to be blunt, but my time is limited and focused on confidentially meeting with food visitors.  [/quote]

I'm just really surprised to hear a volunteer say this.  I know that my kids and I have participated in lots of canned food drives over the years and we have always gotten the impression that it was a great help and much appreciated.

When I give cans, they come directly from my own pantry - usually soups, tuna, chili, etc.  Stuff my own family does eat.  That's what most people do.

I'm PP quoted.  Please know that you would be sincerely thanked and your donations would be very much appreciated, but you are a rare exception.  Most people in my corner of the world do not think much beyond cream condensed soups and peanut butter and rarely, if ever, ask what are current needs are.  The ugly secret in food charities is that there's tremendous waste.  We end up throwing away long-expired (crystal light from 1992, for example) and opened foods (yes, opened, which is why volunteers wear aprons and gloves) and bulging, drippy cans.

My charity would really appreciate a quick call or email or a check of our website to find out what we take and when you can drop off.  It's a business.

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