As a part of our dedication to providing healthier food to families, the Food Bank would like to ask you, our food and fund drive champions, to help us achieve this goal. Vulnerable communities and those who live within them often lack access to healthy food or the resources to acquire it with. These same communities are also disproportionately affected by diet-related chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity. By providing the healthiest food possible to our neighbors in need, we can help in the fight against two battles that are intrinsically linked: hunger and chronic disease in our community.
Focusing on highly nutritious foods, we aim to distribute food that will enable people suffering the ill-effects of hunger and poverty to feel stronger and healthier. Some of the most needed food items are:
- Whole grain foods
- Whole wheat pasta
- Brown rice
- Whole grain cereal
- Whole wheat flour
- Whole grain crackers
- Plain oatmeal
- Shelf stable milk (cow, soy, rice, etc.)
- Fruit, dried or canned in light syrup or juice
- Low-sodium, no salt added vegetables
- Low-sodium pasta sauce in plastic container
- Foods high in protein
- Natural peanut butter (no hydrogenated oil)
- Dried beans
- Dried peas
- Dried lentils
- Canned tuna - canned in water, not oil
- Canned salmon - canned in water, not oil
- Canned chicken - canned in water, not oil
- Unsalted nuts
- 100% fruit and/or vegetable juice
- Cooking oil
Families and individuals who struggle to put food on the table also have a tough time with the household essentials that many of us take for granted. In addition to food, these non-food items are greatly needed and appreciated:
- Paper products
- Diapers
- Toiletries