sirdarksol

We are approaching the second tough time of the year for food shelves; the holiday season (the first being summer, due to kids getting out of school and not having access to low-priced school lunches).

There are many ways you can help your local food shelves out. Donations of food, time, and money are all helpful (if you plan on emptying your pantry, donating food is fine, but if you've got to go out and buy food, consider giving the money directly to the food shelf, instead, as they usually can squeeze much more out of a dollar than you can). Many municipal areas have one or more Thanksgiving Day walks that support local food shelves.
By virtue of the fact that we are keeping fish and have internet connections/computers, we know that each of us has at least a small amount of disposable income. I challenge each of you to give at least $20 worth of goods or money or a few hours of time in order to give others a chance to have food this holiday season.

Gouramiguy17

Ouch, I'm glad I have money to have food and fish

Shawnie

great reminder sds!!!!!!
we give discounts of $2-$5 for each can of non parishable foods that our customers bring it at their appointments...everyone can give something..even if its their time (as we know money is so limited in this economy) so lets all do our share!!!

Lucy

We may not have everything we want, but we have everything than we need.
I'll be happy to not only meet your challenge SDS, but to exceed it.

bolivianbaby

Thanks for the reminder, SDS, it's important to think about the less fortunate, especially in this economy. Consider your gauntlet picked up

sirdarksol

Many places have similar offers. MN Taco Bells usually offer a free taco if you bring a canned good in (no, you can't bring twenty and get twenty tacos).

I know what you mean. I've got a friend who, for the past two months, has been left scrambling trying to feed himself and his kid and afford bus-rides to get the kid to school. That's why I included "goods" and "time." Most of us have non-perishables in our pantries that we can live without, and if we don't, we can always donate an hour here or there helping the food shelves sort their goods or helping a kitchen serve meals.

Thank you, ladies, for your enthusiasm.
My family and I (sans wife, as her Fibromyalgia will not allow this) are doing the Gobble Gait once again. In 2008, the Gobble Gait raised $70,000 and collected 3,000lbs of food for the Hastings Food Shelf. As Hastings is not a huge city, this is an exceptional amount of money and food.

Meenu

A couple of my coworkers and I spend a lunch hour and purchase groceries, and then drive them to our food bank. I had not even considered this, thanks so much for the heads up!!

sirdarksol

It's something not a lot of people think about, but the food shelves buy wholesale, they look for good deals, and I'd be willing to bet that businesses give them a discount (any such discount would amount to a tax-deductible donation).
Of course, if there's a particular reason to donate food (to get a deal at your local salon/restaurant/whatever, or to help your kid's class win a school contest or whatever), then go for it. The food shelves will take all of the help they can get.

Lucy

Non profits are usually tax exempt, which also allows them to get more bang for the buck.
Something we do before we donate to any cause is to look up how much goes to the actual charity and how much goes into administrative costs.

callichma

My church has a food pantry and thrift store. We buy our food from the area community food bank which gets a lot of its food by donation. We are seeing an increase in the number of people seeking assistance this year, and have just begun taking applications for Christmas dinners and toys for the kids.

There are food pantries and food banks in every community, and they all need volunteers this time of year. It is so rewarding to work with others to make a difference. There are volunteer jobs to fit every ability.

Thank you SDS for bringing this timely subject up.

Tigerlily

Challenge accepted! (My competitive nature reared its head.)

Today I'll be helping stock and distribute 24 food baskets to clients in need as well as donating some food to community members not in my program.

As a program we are well on our way to accumulating Christmas gifts for the children we serve directly and helping with Toys For Tots.

Personally, I love getting to be a Secret Santa, and am immensely grateful for opportunities to share what I am so fortunate to have with others.

What are others doing to meet this challenge?

Amanda

I'll take on that challenge. And I'll up you by donating some old coats/gloves as well.

bolivianbaby

I'm really glad you all brought up the coats. We need to see what's been outgrown. Any old coats will do a whole lot better on someone else than sitting in our closet now being worn.

Tigerlily

I'll see your coats and up the ante with some dog food. (I'm loving this! LOL)

daKid (my son) has some outgrown coats and hats... taking a bag of dog kibble to the local animal shelter on my way to the office in the morning.

aquarist48

Our little town of Hootersville has a food drive just about every holiday. All we have to do is hang a grocery bag of canned goods on the mail box and the mail person takes it where it needs to go for donations. With Chef in the house we obviously have food to spare that we can share. I don't know what it's like to go hungry as some of the needy do, but I do know what it's like to be on rations of Ramin (sp?) Noodles for 2 years. It wasn't pleasant.
Great thread!
Ken