OFM Health: Giving the Gift of Nourishment
For better or worse, the holiday season typically incites many folks to search through their cabinets for leftover cans of pineapple or cranberry sauce to donate to their local food pantry. Even though many food rescue organizations (a more global term for food pantries) need supplies year-round, the influx of donations during the holiday season is an opportune time to provide ample support for the remainder of the year. Additionally, tax-deductible, monetary donations tend to spike during this time of year, as the tax year is ending.
Whether a person wishes to donate their time, money, or supplies (such as food, clothing, or toys), there are some important things to keep in mind when considering the needs of the organizations that accept donations.
Ditch the Dusty Cans
As someone who has volunteered their time and resources to many food pantries, I can tell you that the amount of donated boxed stuffing and crushed boxes of cereal is flabbergasting. Sure, donating food you likely aren’t going to use seems like a win-win, but what you don’t want in your pantry is likely something not worth donating.
Many food rescue organizations collect non-perishable items and try their best to organize them into donation bins that then go to families or individuals who may not have a kitchen or cooktop. While there is not much someone can do with a box of dried stuffing mix, there is plenty someone can do with canned beans, fruit, potatoes, vegetables, tuna, and chicken.
If you aren’t a fan of eating canned potatoes or chicken out of the can, that means someone else is likely not going to be a fan, either. Consider throwing in seasoning packets or low-sodium gravy (not glass jars) so food can be flavored in a more appealing way.
Unfortunately, many people who are food insecure and rely on food rescue organizations lack adequate healthcare or nutrition and are typically also struggling with a nutrition-related chronic illness such as type 2 diabetes, heart or kidney disease, or malnutrition. Choose items to donate that are low in salt, not overly processed, and can be easily found in their natural form (i.e. potatoes or chicken).
There is no need to go organic or choose the most expensive versions of these foods; in fact, I try to choose the least pricey items so I can buy more and help as many people as possible.
Food is not the Limit
Donating food is by far one of the easiest things to do but not the only way to help. Many organizations need monetary contributions to help fill the gaps in what they do not acquire through food donations. Organizations can also use that money to hire employees to assist with the inundating task of helping others who face food and housing insecurities. If you wish to donate your own time to help out, it is usually best to offer your help outside of the holiday season, as many food rescue organizations have too many (yes, it is possible) volunteers and often end up sending people home. There is such a thing as too many cooks in the kitchen, after all.
Help Out Locally
I have always felt it so important for folks to contribute to their local communities as much as possible. However you wish to help, it is appreciated by the folks who run these organizations all year long. The following organizations (though not a complete list) are located in the Denver/Aurora areas and could use any help you are able to provide:
- Metro Caring
- Weinberg Food Pantry
- Community Table
- Denver Metro Emergency Food Network
- Covenant Cupboard Food Pantry
- Colorado Health Network
You can always find somewhere local to your neighborhood to aid as well. Due to the impact of the ongoing pandemic, there are more people who are food insecure than in years prior. Even if you don’t have a bounty of your own resources to offer, organizing a group donation is easy. Placing a big, empty box in your place of employment (such as in the employee break room) is a perfect way to collect group donations without pressuring anyone to contribute. I’ve raised as much as 2,000 pounds of food this way in the past.
However you choose to gather donations, remember to post guidelines (such as those mentioned above) to help guide folks in the right direction. As the holidays approach, let’s be thankful for what we have in life and, if applicable, be thankful for the ability to help others through the gift of nourishment.
