Wishing For Apples And Potatoes
What We Need In The Food Pantry
By Rebecca R. Born
Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.
Hello neighbors! You are all so amazing. The amount of support and volume of produce we have gotten for this year’s farmstand has been outstanding! I know we just have a few weeks left, but keep those vegetables coming as long as your garden produces.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Weekend Food Program, to provide 300 children in Park Hill with two breakfasts, two lunches, and two snacks every weekend. We still need funds to continue the program. If you would like to donate directly, you should make your check to Greater Park Hill Community, and note the Weekend Food Program in the memo line. Mail or drop off your check at 2823 Fairfax St.
Summer is barely over, but it’s never too early to ask. Do you or a friend have a lovely garden or beautiful home you’d like to share with the community for next year’s Garden Walk or Home Tour? These are GPHC’s two main annual fundraising events, so if you have a lead, contact info@greaterparkhill.org and let us know!
Finally, I wanted to recycle and update a great list of needed items that we put together last year. It still is a wonderful tool to help select items to donate to our neighborhood pantry. Sometimes we even see this article torn out of the paper and included in the grocery bags you donate.
The list was originally adapted from an article in the online magazine Foodlets, titled “What Food Banks Need Most And What They Get Too Much Of.” The following are some of the items detailed in that article that apply to our food pantry, with my comments in bold.
1. Canned vegetables: Everyone donates green beans. Instead, give potatoes, car- rots, spinach, peas or any other veggies that your family likes. Our clients love canned spinach and we rarely have more than one can at a time! We need all the rest of the vegetables too as we gear up to stuff our Thanksgiving boxes.
2. Snack items for kids to take to school: juice boxes, applesauce containers, gra- nola 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 still need sizes 5 & 6, plus 4T pull-ups and wipes. Consider splitting up a large tub into plastic baggies to donate.
4. Toiletries: toothbrushes, soap, tooth- paste, lotion, shampoo & conditioner, Chapstick (consider someone living out- side this time of year). Lip balm, 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, please!
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, and plastic bags can get painful to carry. We always need heavier duty bags that are in good shape.