Food Donations for the Holidays

Once upon a time I had a job. A fulltime job for over one consecutive year(it's impressive, I know). But more to the point, this job allowed me to have lunch with some really amazing people on a fairly regular basis under the guise of "work". Around this time of year, I was having lunch with one of those amazing people who happened to work for a non-profit that will be entirely left unnamed for reasons that will become apparent.

We were chatting about food donations. After all it was getting close to Thanksgiving, and there were various food drives going on all over town. Chatting, chatting, chatting and then suddenly she stops talking mid-sentence. She stopped because she was about to say:

"We really appreciate every donation. It's food and people need to eat." Pregnant pause insert here.

"Buuuuuuttttt?" said me.

"But, it would be nice if some people could donate those things they like to eat on Thanksgiving too." she confesses while cringing.

She was in a crappy position and right, it's not like she could start some sort of ad campaign that says, "Dusty cans at the back of the cupboard? Leave 'em at home and send the good stuff".

Well, she can't. Nothing's stopping me though.

Send the dusty cans but also buy two of a few of those staples you'll need on hand for your Thanksgiving recipes. Those recipes that make it special. Few times of year are harder on a family struggling financially than the holidays. So get the ingredients for a Green Bean Casserole or Pumpkin Pie. Toss in a few containers of spices, things like Poultry Seasoning, Dried Garlic, and Pumpkin Pie Spice. If you are feeling really generous add in a bottle of olive oil.

Imagine as a mom of a kiddo with food allergies how complicated cooking from food donations would be like. Even if you aren't donating a case of your favorite gluten-free baking mix, you can donate simple, whole ingredients that would be easier to cook with. Corn meal, flour, sugar, and chicken stock.

I was definitely guilty of donating those cans that my family refused to eat. But since that conversation I have done better. Never great mind you, but better. This year too.