What Your Local Food Pantry Really Needs
The Park Hill Community Version
By Rebecca R. Born
Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.
You may have seen one of the many articles floating around social media lately titled some version of “What Your Local Food Pantry Really Needs.”
My favorite so far is from a site called “foodlets,” at foodlets.com, which describes what food banks need the most – and what they get too much of.
It’s interesting how spot on this, and other similar articles are. Almost all of them start with the suggestion that money is what we really need, which is probably true most places. But here at the Greater Park Hill Community office, where our food pantry is, it’s really just me most of the time and I need to be in the office. We very rarely buy our pantry supplies, so it’s all you, our wonderful neighbors, and your generosity.
I’d like to explore some of the items from a list of recommendations laid out in a list in the foodlets article. My comments on how the suggestions apply here in Park Hill follow their suggestions, in bold.
1. Canned vegetables: Everyone donates green beans. Instead, give potatoes, carrots, spinach, peas or any other veggies your family likes. Our clients love canned spinach and we rarely have more than one can at a time!
2. Snack items for kids to take to school: juice boxes, applesauce containers, granola bars. Did you know we keep a basket of healthy snacks in the lobby here? Kids (and adults) appreciate a little pick me up treat.
3. Diapers in sizes above newborn, plus wipes. You all have stepped up with the diapers, but we rarely have wipes. Consider splitting up a large tub into plastic baggies to donate.
4. Toiletries: toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo & conditioner, Chapstick (consider someone living outside this time of year). Chapstick, lotion, and deodorant are particular needs right now.
5. Feminine hygiene products: unscented pads will be most universally used, not tampons. Diapers, toilet paper and hygiene products are considered emergency items here and anyone can come in and get some anytime.
6. Spices like cinnamon, oregano, basil, salt, pepper. Salt, pepper, spices, cooking oil; these basics help the home cook.
7. Bags of apples or potatoes. Yes!
8. Consider donating reusable sturdy shopping bags. Supplies are heavy plus it takes a lot of humility to come to a food bank. Since they’ll likely be walking home or taking public transportation, it’s nice to at least blend in. Most of our clients are on foot, plastic bags can get painful, we always need bags that are in good shape.
Here at the GPHC, we have the capacity to store fresh and frozen food as well. No one wants to eat only canned food, so keep that in mind.
Finally, the first thing you should always ask yourself is, “Would I eat this? Would my kids eat this?” If you’d you be comfortable putting it on the table at home, we’d love to have it here. Thanks for all your amazing support!
Please call me at 303-388-0918 or email director@greaterparkhill.org if you have any questions or would like to help. We are here Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. And feel free to drop off your donations during those hours at the GPHC office, 2823 Fairfax St. Remember your donations are tax deductible.