Support Your Local Foodbanks and Soup Kitchens

[rhett o rick]

I am reposting this as we move into Nov and the cold weather. People need help this time of year more than ever.

Local foodbanks are struggling. In tight economic times, donations to foodbanks tend to dry up. And this is the time when help is most needed as more and more people are relying on local foodbanks for help.

Please donate non-perishable foods. Even if the cans are dented or past expiration date they may still be good. Let the foodbank make the decision.

Canned meats and meals are always needed. Chili, tuna, canned salmon, pork & beans, etc.

Donating cash is the best because foodbanks usually can buy about three times more food for the dollar than you can.

It’s also important to donate time. At our foodbank about 75% of the labor is volunteered.

Some foodbanks take clothes and household items that they give away for free so keep that in mind.

Foodbanks usually need simple things like boxes, plastic grocery bags, and glass jars. Ask your local foodbank what they need.

Some people are wary that their donations are distributed fairly and efficiently. Volunteer to be a member of the Board of Directors and influence the operations of your local foodbank.

Also help the homeless. Our foodbank works with local soup kitchens and street ministries. Here are some specific items the homeless value:

Hats*, socks*, coats, rain ponchos*, space blankets*, tarps, tents, sterno, canned meats and meals that can be opened w/o opener, bottled water, hand sanitizer and first aid items, granola bars*, bus tokens, grocery gift cards, etc.

*Some items can be purchased in quantity at low prices online like at smile.Amazon. Note, if you use smile.amazon.com, they will donate to your designated charity (foodbank?).

Have a happy holiday season and please support your local foodbank.

[shenmue]

1. Amen

[tkmorris]

2. Kick

[riderinthestorm]

3. + 10000 nt

[yeoman6987]

4. I don't think we have any in Arnold Maryland

However they might have some in Baltimore. I would have to check. Do they pick up? Great job getting this going. I imagine in poor states and areas it is needed. Luckily I live in a wealthy DEEP BLUE state.

[rhett o rick]

5. "Last year in this country 17.5 million families struggled to afford food. "

We figure that we have 1 in 5 children in our community are at risk of going hungry.

[yeoman6987]

7. Is that with food stamps too?

Maybe raising the food stamp allowance would make more sense. It would allow the food banks to close but yet insure kids are fed. Breakfast, lunch and in some cases dinner with a reasonable food stamp program should take care of this. I can't imagine a kid in school would be hungry today with all the meals provided (3 a day in poor areas). Are they throwing it away?

[rhett o rick]

13. I would like to see some information related to feeding children two or three meals a day.

I haven't heard of such a thing. Who does it? And if that's true, we still have 17.5 million families struggling for food.

You are aware that we only supply about 3 days worth of food per month at a typical foodbank.


In 2013, about 48.8 million people or 15.8 percent of the U.S. population had income below the
poverty level according to the US Census Bureau. Conservative policies have continued to make this worse. Simply telling people to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, isn't a solution. The great wealth transfer from the lower classes to the 1% has made it difficult for the middle class to help the lower classes.

[KamaAina]

6. Perhaps not in Arnold, but certainly in Anne Arundel County

or as we say up in Bawlmer, "Annarunnel".

[FSogol]

8. There are 10 around Arnold, MD

http://www.foodpantries.org/ci/md-arnold

[yeoman6987]

11. Within 30 miles...

However I can't believe we have one in Severna Park. I guess making 100 grand is becoming difficult to provide food for the family too.

[FSogol]

12. All of the ones listed are within 5.13 miles of Arnold, Maryland. As for Severna Park, no

matter how rich an area may seem, there are people struggling and in need of food. You should never assume that there aren't poor, homeless, and hungry families. I volunteer at a food bank in Fairfax County. It is amazing how many families and children rely on our services.

[FSogol]

9. Here's two good links for you and anyone interested in helping:

http://www.foodpantries.org/
http://www.feedingamerica.org/

[Phentex]

10. A good reminder...

[bettyellen]

14. thanks for the reminder

[rhett o rick]

15. You are very welcome bettyellen.

[bettyellen]

16. gathering warm clothes today found a local charity that helps veterans without indoctrination- YAY!

(I think we spoke about my issues with Goodwill before?)
Almost every Saturday there is a great group often from the local college outside our grocery collecting for our local shelter and foodbank.
I'm grateful they make it so easy for us to help.

Tks for the pumpkins!