10/29/2025
A message from the Mutual Aid Community. If you plan on holding food drives or making donations to your local mutual aid, food banks, churches, food drives, etc., please consider the following:
1. 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.
2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of.
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
8. Sugar and flour are treats.
9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
10. They rarely get fresh meat.
11. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
12. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
13. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
14. Butter or margarine is nice too.
15. Eggs are a real commodity.
16. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
17. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
18. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.
19. Soap & Body Wash and even wet-wipes.
20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing, especially this time of year.
It’s surprising to learn that items like spices like chili powder, condiments, and baking ingredients like brownie mix are also greatly appreciated at local donation centers. You might not think about these things when you’re packing up canned foods and boxes of pasta, but they’re just as important. Imagine trying to cook a meal without salt, pepper, or a little sugar – sounds bland, right?
Now, shift your focus to personal hygiene products. Yes, you heard it right. They’re not food, but food pantries often need items like toothpaste, soap, and deodorant. You’d be amazed how much of a difference a simple thing like a toothbrush can make. Think about it next time you’re shopping for your own supplies. Baby supplies, too, are a big need. Diapers, baby food, and formula are often in short supply at food pantries. You might not realize it, but these are crucial for families with little ones.
