Funding and filling the food bank

Shared by Kamloops’ good guy Rick Windjack, one who knows the street and the world of the poor really well, and originally posted on Facebook by Tricia Anne Meyer in 2001, here on some tips on what works and what does not work when we contribute to local food banks everywhere. Thanks Rick for the share. Tricia writes:

So, I spoke to people getting food at a food bank and here are some things I learned from those in need:

• Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.
• Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
• Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
• They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
• Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of.
• Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
• Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
• Sugar and flour are treats.
• They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
• Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some.
• They rarely get fresh meat.
• Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
• Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
• They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
• Butter or margarine is nice too.
• Eggs are a real commodity.
• Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
• Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
• Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.
• Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.

In all the years I have donated food at the Holidays, I bought what I thought they wanted, but have never asked. I am glad I did.

I, Ken would add:

Not all of the above suggestions work well in some contexts: e.g. meat, eggs, and fresh produce.

Cash is likely the best contribution as it gives the food bank the ability to purchase what is most necessary for their clients. Sure it’s convenient to simply throw things in the bin at the grocery checkout but a more strategic approach improves the experience for those receiving these gifts.

It is alarming to see the increase in food bank care, especially here in British Columbia. FoodbanksBC notes the following:

Food bank visits have increased by 31%, from 124,000 to 163,000 visits/year since 2019

30% of all food bank users in BC are children.  1 out of every 3 food bank users is a child.

The number of seniors (65+ years) accessing food banks has increased by 20% in the past 2 years.

Each month B.C. food banks provide over 250,000 meals through shelters, soup kitchens and school lunch programs.

In sum, here in British Columbia, one of the wealthiest provinces in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, the distribution of wealth is disproportionately spread, a continuing injustice, and frankly, a tragedy.

Nuff said: We know what to do; so let’s do it.