Approaching the holiday season, a list of suggested items to donate to hunger relief organizations is often widely circulated on social media.
Many community members are compelled to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida with food drives, and the viral list suggests items that the author suggests neighbors would most like to have.
Well-meaning donors want their donations to go as far as possible. However, the list includes some facts, some falsehoods and some items that need further context before donating food items to Second Harvest.
Notably, many of the suggested items on the list are fresh food that cannot be accepted from community members to ensure food safety. However, these items are part of a well-balanced diet. Creating an online fundraiser and donating funds to Second Harvest are two ways to help get those food items to neighbors facing hunger.
Volunteer Manager Ian Dixon explores every item on the popular list below and explains what supporters need to know before organizing a fall food drive or spending money on food to donate.
Let’s get into the list:
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.
False
“There are versions you can make with water, and everyone donates it because it’s really popular and a lot of people like it,” Ian explains.
Second Harvest is unable to accept donations of fresh dairy products from community members. However, financial gifts to the food bank can be used to purchase and distribute those items safely through its feeding partners.
2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
True
“Box shelf stable milk is always great to have,” Ian says.
3. Butter or margarine is nice too.
Needs Context
Although neighbors appreciate butter or margarine, Second Harvest cannot accept donations of these items from the public.
As mentioned above, financial donations to the food bank can help provide fresh items like these. Dairy items are also donated to Second Harvest through the Retail Rescue Program, which ensures safe food handling.
4. Eggs are a real commodity.
Needs Context
Similarly to butter, egg donations can’t be accepted from community members.
“It’s hard to donate fresh items, but when you decide to donate financially to the food bank, the food bank is able to purchase those items and distribute way more of them out to the community,” Ian says.
5. Oil is a luxury .
True
“This is super true,” Ian said.
6. Dish Soap / Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
True
“It might surprise you, but most food banks can accept cleaning products, so feel free to donate them,” Ian explained.
7. Feminine hygiene products are highly sought after .
True
“They are such a great asset and people really appreciate them,” he says.
8. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
Needs Context
Cans can still be used if you don’t include can openers or pop-tops, but those tools are helpful and can be donated.
9. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
True
“As a coffee lover, I definitely agree with this,” Ian adds.
10. Sugar and flour are treats.
True
“They help you create all kinds of different, unique food items, so feel free to donate those,” Ian explains.
11. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
Needs Context
Produce is another category where there are many restrictions on what Second Harvest can accept. However, this is an important item to neighbors, and your financial support increases access to fresh produce.
“The food bank loves receiving fresh produce, but it’s hard for us to receive them from members of the community, so this is mostly false,” Ian explained.
Second Harvest works with farmers, growers and retail partners to safely collect, secure and distribute these items.
12. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some.
Mostly False
Seeds could be helpful for some neighbors but can’t be applied broadly because it assumes too many things about neighbors’ housing, abilities and more.
“If you’ve got a green thumb, they are a great idea, but they make a lot of assumptions about folks so probably best to avoid them,” Ian explained.
13. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
True
“This is one of the sweetest things that you could donate,” Ian says. “They really are a great treat and would bring a smile to a kid’s face.”
14. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real gift.
True
“They bring so much variety, and our neighbors really enjoy them, so you can definitely donate spices,” Ian says.
15. They rarely get fresh meat.
Needs Context
Second Harvest sources fresh meat from ranchers, food manufacturers and retail partners thanks to financial support from donors.
Community members are welcome to donate dried or canned meats, such as meat sticks, jerky, canned tuna or chicken, beef stew and more.
16. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
True
17. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef
False
“There’s still a lot of great stuff in that box even if you don’t have the meat,” Ian explained. “Also, if you donate funds to the food bank, you can help support our programs that provide fresh meat to the community.”
18. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
Needs Context
Bread is another item that the food bank usually cannot accept from community food drives, but donating peanut butter and jelly is not discouraged because it is much needed.
19. Everyone loves Stove Top stuffing.
False
“Maybe not everyone, but it’s still a great item to donate,” Ian said.
20. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
True
“It’s a staple, and we get a lot because people really like it a lot,” Ian said. “So still feel free to donate it.”
Ian knows community members use lists like these because they want to help the food bank, and that Second Harvest appreciates all the support.
“We want to help you do that in the best way possible,” he said. “If you really want to make sure that a lot of those fresh items we talked about are provided to your neighbors facing hunger each day, the best way to do that is to donate financially to the food bank so that we can help make sure that those products are handled in a safe, healthy way.”
Creating an online fundraiser instead of or in addition to a physical food drive is also an option that can support the purchase of those items. Every $10 donated to Second Harvest can help provide 40 meals.
“We are here to make sure that your food drive is as successful and impactful as it can be,” Ian added. “If you have any questions or want more information about how to start or have a really awesome food drive, I am here to help.”
Ian even has food drive posters, a critical needs list and a food and fund drive manual filled with tips and tricks online.
Thank you for considering a fall food and fund drive. Every action big or small makes an incredible difference in the fight against hunger in Central Florida.
