Needed Food Bank Items

[Melody]

:Carol: Food bank donations are big this time of year, from school to workplaces. Here's a list of the most needed items from the Food Banks Canada website:

Most Needed Food Items

Pasta products & Rice
Canned meats and fish
Dry and canned soups & stews
Canned fruit & vegetables
Flour
Breakfast cereal
Peanut butter
Canned/Powdered milk
Fruit Juices
Pasta Sauce
Beans & Legumes
Infant formula & Baby Food
Pet Food (check specific locations to ensure that they accept pet food)

Food Bank locations (http://foodbankscanada.ca/utility-pages/find-a-food-bank.aspx)

851,014 separate individuals were assisted by a food bank in Canada in March 2011. This figure is 2% lower than 2010 levels – essentially unchanged – and remains 26% higher than in March 2008. It is also the second highest level of food bank use on record. ~ Hunger Count 2011, (http://foodbankscanada.ca/getmedia/dc2aa860-4c33-4929-ac36-fb5d40f0b7e7/HungerCount-2011.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf) Food Banks Canada

I've got a brilliant, awesome kid that has kept his nose clean and his eyes firmly focused on the future. He's going to university next year so although business is good, every extra penny will be going towards giving him the start in life that he has earned. We'll still be giving to food banks and pet charities this year because although we may have to work our fingers to the bone to get what we need and want, we can still get it. Me worrying about paying for university doesn't even compare to worrying about feeding him. That makes us a whole lot better off than many people out there this season.

Please give what you can and/or volunteer your time - I guarantee you that nothing will make you feel richer.

Wishing you all a magical, safe and peaceful Christmas!:Smile:

[Bina]

This thread is a good reminder that especially as cold weather approaches there are many people facing days without enough food to eat.
Yesterday I had a chance to clean out my pantry as my daughter was collecting dry goods for the local charity. Give all that you can !!

[Sweetpea]

Giving a cash/cheque donation to food banks and other charities is great too. For yourself, you get a tax receipt, unlike (as far as I know) when you donate the equivalent value in food items. Also, food banks can often source things cheaper, so your donation dollars can go a lot further when given in the form of money. Also the food banks can then obtain the items that they need most for their clients.