Want to make a real impact when donating to your local food bank? Here's what they need most and why your choices matter.
High-Priority Items
Protein Sources: Peanut butter is the most requested item by food banks, loved by both kids and adults for its high protein content and versatility. Canned proteins like tuna, salmon, and chicken provide vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein for quick, easy meals. Don't forget canned SPAM or ham as alternatives.
Hearty Soups & Complete Meals: Soup varieties like Progresso or Campbell’s Chunky varieties offer filling, nutritious options that require minimal preparation. These are especially valuable for families facing time or resource constraints.
Side Dishes & Grains: Pasta and pasta sauce are exceptionally filling and easy to prepare, with whole-grain pasta offering more fiber and nutrition than white varieties. Rice meals, pasta bowls, and quinoa provide essential carbohydrates and can stretch to feed multiple people.
Canned Vegetables & Beans: Canned beans like black beans, garbanzo beans, and pinto beans are high in protein and fiber and provide excellent nutrition. Low-sodium canned vegetables help families add nutritious sides to any meal.
Frozen Items: Frozen meals, including pizza, pot pies, and pierogies, offer convenient options for families without extensive cooking resources. These items are beneficial for working families or those with limited kitchen access.
Pantry Staples: Flour, sugar, and condiments are invaluable for families who struggle to afford basic cooking ingredients. Cooking essentials like olive oil and spices — garlic powder, onion, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and cinnamon — help turn basic ingredients into flavorful meals.
Other High-Need Items:
Spaghetti sauce (all varieties)
Unsweetened applesauce provides fiber and vitamin C
Shelf-stable milk is accessible for everyone since no refrigeration is required.
Nuts provide protein and nutrients quickly, perfect for snacks and lunches, though food banks struggle to source them due to higher prices.
Why Cash Donations Matter Most
Cash donations are incredibly powerful. All monetary contributions to food banks are used to purchase fresh eggs, vegetables, fruit, grains, and meat—perishable items that traditional food drives can't collect but are essential for balanced nutrition. Food banks can often purchase up to 6 times as much food for the same dollar amount, thanks to bulk purchasing power and wholesale partnerships.
Tax receipts are available for both food and cash donations, making it easy to document your charitable giving.
What NOT to Donate
Food banks won't accept perishable items that need refrigeration, including fresh produce, dairy, or meat from individual donors (though they work with commercial partners for these items).
Avoid donating:
Items with damaged packaging, such as dented or bloated cans, open packages, or glass containers that could shatter
Expired food items
Homemade baked goods or leftovers
Items requiring special equipment (choose pop-top cans when possible)
A good rule of thumb to follow: if you wouldn't consider buying it new, don't donate it.
Smart Shopping Tips
Check the pantry's wish list before shopping (most food banks post updated needs online).
Buy low-sodium and low-sugar options when available.
Choose whole grain over white for pasta, rice, and crackers.
Look for pop-top cans for clients who may not have can openers.
Donate well before expiration dates to give maximum shelf life.
Don't forget you can also shop your own pantry first to see if you have extras of anything-- just double-check those expiration dates!
Beyond Food
Don't forget non-food essentials that are always in high demand:
Baby formula and baby food (pouches or jars)
Diapers (especially larger sizes 4, 5, and 6)
Feminine hygiene products
Toilet paper
Your thoughtful donations make a real difference in your neighbors' lives. Whether you choose to give food items or cash, you're helping ensure that families in your community have access to nutritious meals (and other staples) when they need them most.