NicAnn Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 We are moving and I had several bags of food to donate. Come to find out there is no central food bank in our very large suburban-metro area. There are a few churches with food banks...but they are small with very limited hours. This is completely new to me. The last city we lived in had two large, community owned food banks, that people could visit twice a week. And that city was much smaller. I regularly donated food, and even had to visit myself several years ago after a job loss. I'm really saddened by this. Where are these people going for help? I know that food stamps are not easy to get here either. They come with random home inspections (to insure you aren't sharing food), and dont cover much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 This is sad. The larger charities in my town don't do a very good job of helping people in need, so I prefer to donate to smaller, grassroots organizations run by people I know from my "volunteer everywhere" phase. Have you considered Food Not Bombs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 There's not a chapter in my city anymore. They used to cook every Saturday at the park, but I can't find it online. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 I know that food stamps are not easy to get here either. They come with random home inspections (to insure you aren't sharing food), and dont cover much. I never realized that there were regulations like this anywhere! I wonder if you can check with your county--our church has a mobile food pantry that delivers food once a month and we distribute. Many places can no longer *store* food, particularly for safety reasons. (Not food safety, either, unfortunately...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 I never realized that there were regulations like this anywhere! I wonder if you can check with your county--our church has a mobile food pantry that delivers food once a month and we distribute. Many places can no longer *store* food, particularly for safety reasons. (Not food safety, either, unfortunately...) I might call the county and ask, but I didn't see anything online. I think I'll just take the food donations to one of the churches and hope they can distribute it. Or I guess move it with us and donate it somewhere along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 The ones in our area are the same way. Donations are to be brought to the church in the half hour before the food pantry opens and they are only open twice a month for 4 hours each time! Call around to the local grocery stores. Sometimes they have a collection box for the food pantry near the exit doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Check with local senior centers. I'll bet they can point you in a good direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinmyboys Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Our local schools send home backpacks of food for kids on weekends. They always seem to be needing donations. Maybe a title 1 school in your area would know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 It *is very sad. I've been trying to find an organization to volunteer with, but there aren't even *churches* that service my specific township. I can locate many places (mostly churches) that serve surrounding areas 1-4 times/mo, and a handful that serve the entire county, but the most active ones are near the county seat. If *I* have a difficult time eeking out the time and gas money to get out there to volunteer, how in the world are people in my area finding a way to get the FOOD?! I know there's no food pantry near my relatives, but I almost "get" that it's because they're in a very wealthy area. I happen to be in an area with a very wide demographic, including more than a fair share of low-income families. I've tried to find info on starting a food bank, but it's a bit overwhelming! ETA: I'm signed up with all the national campaigns, and even they haven't been able to educate me on how to *start something going here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 That is sad....... In our area, there are two main food banks. The churches here tend to collect food and then donate it to one of the food banks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkacademy Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 our library takes food donations for Thanksgiving help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigomama Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Try the local homeless shelter. They take food here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHASRADA Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 What about supermarkets? My parents volunteer at their local church food pantry. They have drop boxes at area grocery stores, so shoppers can put their donations in the box, and food pantry volunteers pick the food up on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Do you have a catholic charities anywhere near by? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Do you have places in your area that serve hot meals to the hungry? Sometimes they have small food pantries and would probably be happy to have your food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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