Food Bank

Our local food bank is in dire need of food donations due to the precarious state of the economy. They announced their pantry will be bare by mid-February because of the increased number of folks needing food assistance. I gathered up a bunch of stuff from our house, and took my lotto winnings ($30) and went to Wally's and loaded up on inexpensive staples.  I went over there to drop it off, and when I went into the building, I just wanted to cry.  The place was packed with folks waiting to receive food help.  I thought about how fortunate I am, and resolve to take a small amount out of my tight budget every two weeks to buy a few items to donate to the food bank.  I'm sure our food bank is not the only one feeling pinched these days.  I thought I'd share this story and ask that if you have a bit extra (I know not everyone does, times are hard), be sure to remember your local food bank (or church pantry, or whoever does food distribution in your area). I hope this doesn't sound too preachy.  The thought of anyone going hungry affects me deeply. Kix

You are 100% right...I am going to check into my local food bank and see what I can do.  Thank you for the eye opener!  HUGS  Jeanine

Thanks for the reminder, Kix.  I try to remember to donate regularly, but sometimes get sidetracked by other things.   My Dad is retired and he spends a lot of time transferring food from places that have it and can't use it, to people that need it and don't have it.  He gets the day-old bread and bakery products from a local Entenmann's outlet, and delivers it to food pantries, the Salvation Army, and many Amish families that he's built relationships with over the past few years.  He also will take extra things the Salvation Army gets and doesn't have capacity to distribute, and take it to other food banks or distribute it to the folks he knows that can use some help.  He probably spends $150 a week just on gas money.  I wish there were more people like him in the world -  Anyway, your post is a great reminder that money is tight for a lot of folks right now so that those of who can do so should help - thanks -  Kellie

Thanks for the reminder Kix.  We all need to remember those in need!  Our church alms pantry is almost out of staples too, and I had been wanting to go and buy things for it, but I keep forgetting.  I will do that today!

I think this is a wonderful post, and a terrific thing to do! Thank Kix! I feel so blessed.

I definitely have things I need to donate.  Food staples we haven't and probably won't eat, and clothes, lots of clothes.  Thanks for reminding me to think about others.  I'm going to find out where I can go to drop off food this weekend.

Great job Kix!   We work at our local pantry 2 or 3 times a year with my cub scout den and we do a food drive at the holidays but your right its easy to forget if its not in a group setting, I can and will donate this week. We are in very hard times but sometimes if you yourself are not at the bottom its easy to forget.  Thanks for reminding me.  Dunny brought up a good point cloths are very important this time of year if anyone has old coats in decent condition most local food pantrys or soup kitchens will accept them too.  Estelle

I had about 6 trash bags of clothes in decent to basically brand new condition that I had gone through and saved up with the intention of donating - about 3 years worth of mine and husband's clothes that we didn't like or wear for whatever reason - for 3 years I intended to donate them!  I finally did it this morning, thanks Kix.  I hope my clothes especially help someone larger who is down and out because everyone knows nice big clothes are pricey and hard to come by! I also gathered up some food and will add some staples from the food drive's website "most needed items" when I go to the store next time.  We are fortunate to have what we have, and when we've struggled people have always helped us in one way or another, so I am happy to return the favor. 

Tht's a great Idea! Thanks for reminding us to think of others.  I'm new to the WLS scene and jsut startingthe process.  I'm single so I  don't have to worry about  feeding my family in a different way than I  feed myself.  I've been going to go through my kitchen and take out anything that is not good for me now and will not work on my "new pouch" . I  think I'll take any food that has not yet expired to my local food bank as you suggested.