10 Reasons to Visit Your Local Food Pantry for Help
In today’s challenging times, many families find themselves facing food insecurity. If you are struggling to put nutritious meals on the table, one invaluable resource to consider is your local food pantry. Food pantries provide essential support to those in need. There are many reasons to visit your local food pantry for help.
10 Reasons to Visit Your Local Food Pantry for Help
1. Access to Nutritious Food Options
Food pantries strive to provide a variety of nutritious food options to their clients. You can expect to find fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins from various food groups, and dairy products. A well-balanced diet is important to maintaining good health. Visiting a food pantry can help make sure that you have access to good food! 13 Nutritious Survival Foods Out There
Healthy eating is important for all of us. Having healthy foods available becomes even more important if we have health challenges like diabetes. Access to fresh produce, meats, and grains makes for high-diet quality meals, yet can be a challenge for low-income families.
Thank goodness, places like your local grocery store, restaurants, and even farmer’s markets, will make food donations to the local food bank or neighborhood food pantries to benefit others. It’s a great way to support those in need in the local community, and also to help eliminate thousand of pounds of food waste.
2. Financial Relief
Receiving assistance from a food pantry, you can free up some of your budget for other essential expenses, such as rent, utilities, or medical bills. This financial relief can be a weight lifted off your shoulders during hard times. Cash vs. Credit Card: Which is Better in an Emergency?
We might need this kind of food access due to no fault of our own. Families struggle with temporary or long-term poverty due to health issues, accidents, disability, and job loss. Hunger relief is only one of the financial problems that result from these unfortunate events in our lives. Thank goodness for nonprofits that step in and provide food security with meal programs that make all the difference.
3. Community Support
One of the most heartwarming aspects of visiting a food pantry is the sense of community that comes with it. Food pantries not only provide food but also offer a supportive environment where you can connect with others who understand what you’re going through. Sharing experiences and finding support among like-minded individuals can be immensely comforting. How To Be Prepared For An Economic Collapse
With the added help from organizations like the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America food drives, and even the US Postal Service annual drives, your community really steps up to help. It’s wonderful that families in the area are willing to give up some of their surplus. Their generosity helps break down the barriers to the food system and put products on your food shelves. Pantry clients can benefit from being part of a community and its hunger relief efforts.
4. Bridge During Temporary Setbacks
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes even the most stable households face temporary setbacks. Whether it’s due to loss of employment, a medical emergency, or any other unforeseen circumstance, a food pantry can serve as a bridge to help you get back on your feet during difficult times. 10 Reasons Stockpiling Emergency Supplies Makes Sense
5. Educational Resources
Many food pantries offer educational programs and resources geared toward helping individuals and families develop essential skills. These resources may include cooking classes, nutrition workshops, budgeting tips, and information on accessing other support services in the community. Using these resources, you can build your knowledge and improve your overall well-being. Things To Do To Not Get Scared as a Prepper
6. Supplemental Assistance
Visiting a food pantry doesn’t mean you have to rely solely on their resources for sustenance. Instead, it can serve as a supplemental resource to complement your existing food needs in the quantities necessary. When you receive assistance from a food pantry, you can stretch your budget further and ensure that you have enough food to feed yourself and your family. This is helpful if you have a big family so you can make sure that every household member gets enough to eat.
7. Diverse Food Options
Food pantries strive to provide a diverse range of food options to cater to different dietary needs and preferences. Whether you have certain dietary restrictions, cultural preferences, or specific allergies, food pantries often have a variety of choices available to accommodate your needs. Of course, sometimes there are no options and it’s a take-what-you-get sort of opportunity!
8. Volunteer Opportunities
If you’re looking for ways to give back to your community, visiting a food pantry can open doors to volunteer opportunities. Volunteering at a food pantry allows you to contribute your time and skills to help others in need. It’s a rewarding experience that not only benefits those who receive assistance but also provides personal fulfillment. If you don’t need to visit your local food pantry for food, then you can visit to volunteer! Point Of Distribution Information
9. Confidentiality and Respect
Food pantries operate with confidentiality and respect in mind. They understand that seeking assistance may be challenging for some individuals due to the stigma surrounding food insecurity. Therefore, they ensure your privacy during the process, making it easier for you to access the support you need without feeling judged or embarrassed. Safety Tips for Preppers: Ensuring Preparedness in Any Situation
10. Long-Term Solutions
While food pantries provide immediate assistance, many also work towards long-term solutions to combat food insecurity. They work with other organizations and community leaders to address the root causes of hunger and implement sustainable programs that empower individuals and families to become more self-sufficient. Applying for Food Stamps Online: A Simple Guide
More Tips
- How To Store Your Food Storage
- What to Do With Your Old Stockpile of Food
- Food Storage Tips for Your Groceries and Leftovers
Final Word
A local food pantry can provide important support during times of need. From access to nutritious food options and financial relief to community support and long-term solutions, visiting a food pantry can be a big help if you need it. If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, don’t hesitate to contact your local food pantry for assistance. May God Bless this World, Linda
Copyright Images: Food Pantry Box Depositphotos_476272658_S by Vejaa, Food Pantry Box Held By Woman Depositphotos_520769662_S by Vejaa
I just wish our local food bank would accept foods, especially canned goods, that are past their ”best by” date.
Ray,
You are correct. Too many of them do not accept those. They are still in blinder mode and believe those are expiration dates. Luckily, our local food bank has partially seen the light and will accept canned goods that are no more than one year past their “best by” date. I tell many folks that even though foods are past the “best by” date, they are still safe and nutritious. Too often my words fall on deaf ears. I have many times eaten canned goods considerably past the “best by” date and they tasted fine and caused no problems. One such was a can of Spam that was seven years past the “best by” date. It had gotten pushed back in the pantry numerous times but it sure made a good batch of Spam salad for sandwiches.
Hi Harry, you are so right! The Spam salad story is the best! Thanks for sharing that story, I love it! Linda
Hi Ray, I agree, because we eat them! Linda
I am the Pantry Coordinator of one of our food pantries in my community. We cannot, legally, accept foods past their “best by”‘ dates. We have to follow state laws regarding that. If we receive things past their dates, we have a Free Shelf just outside our pantry door (inside of our church education building) that people can take these foods, at their own discretion. Just an idea that maybe you can pass on to your local pantry.
HI Carol, I know our Utah food banks/pantries cannot take “expired” or past the “best by date”. Great tip to place these items where someone can use them, hopefully. Linda
I agree with Ray. While I don’t have any issues with “out dated” canned foods, other people do. Each time I go to the grocery store, I check the bins that have things that are deeply discounted because they are so close to the best by date. The only things I am cautious about are cans that are dented. But, the other day, I was able to get 2 containers of Crisco for $1.00 each. Both had been punctured but then taped over. The store would eventually have tossed these in the dumpster. I didn’t plan to use them for cooking but figured they were just fine for making a couple of those long burning candles! Haven’t done that yet but will soon. I also found a bag of organic, sugar that had a tear in it that was taped over. I wasn’t really interested in more sugar but when I weighed it on the veggie scale, found that it had not lost a significant amount. So, I bought it and repackaged it in jars. I bought that for 1/3 the price of the same without damage. We need to look for those kinds of things that we can add to our preps.
As for using the food pantry – I have not had the need to use them. At the beginning of the pandemic, I started getting food boxes delivered to my apartment. I lived in a senior complex and the boxes were being dispersed to all the residents. I put an end to that immediately – I loved that they (whoever they were) thought of seniors but I didn’t need it. I figure that as long as I have the money to purchase my own food, I will leave the food pantry for those who struggle to make ends meet. During the holidays, budget allowing, I try to purchase some non-perishables to add to the boxes/bins the grocery stores have for the needs of those struggling.
Another thing that people need to be aware of and seem to have forgotten for the most part is couponing. I do it all online now. I only have one store in town – Safeway. Not my favorite but it is over 70 miles to the nearest town with other options! Anyway, I clip coupons for Safeway online before I go shopping. One recent shopping trip, I saved over $65. I’ve also taught myself to not be brand specific!! I learned that one brand I had always shied away from was actually made by a name brand company!! And, once I bought the off brand, I found that it actually tasted better than the name brand!
HI Leanne, you are so right we must look for good buys now with crazy price of groceries! Making candles would an awesome deal with the Crisco marked wqay down! I use coupons as often as I can as well. Every nickel saved is worth it! Linda
So much is digital coupons now, even the $5 savings on Saturdays at DG is digital.
I don’t have a cell/smart phone so that leaves me out for those saturday deals. I buy in bulk, so I spent $25 easily. I do miss those; when I ran low on a stored food, I waited for that coupon from DG. No more.
HI JayJay, I would check with the manager and explain you do not have a cell/smart phone. This has to be a problem for others, the stores must be able to help those who cannot get the digital coupons. Just a thought. I’m going to ask our local Smith’s if there is another option besides a digital coupon. Linda
It sounds like food banks have come a long way from when I had to use one, after losing a job, unexpectedly. You couldn’t choose what went into your 2 bags. When we originally started, the deal was 2 full bags of groceries. After a few months it was only 2 half bags of groceries, because demand had increased. It was packaged processed foods only, and high salt canned vegetables. No meat, dairy, eggs, basic staples or fresh vegetables. We even had a struggle returning “kiddies” cereals, in favor of adult cereals. They did have day old bread and baked goods but only if you could get there at 9AM when they opened. We finally stopped going, since we ended up donating most of it back to food drives, my diet was restricted for medical reasons. It just didn’t do much good for us, as it sounded. But your article makes it sound like things have improved since then. I have heard some actually allow shopping from their shelves, within limits. I miss the price off shelves of meat and vegetables and damaged goods. My Mother shopped those shelves all the time, and used shop them myself in my younger years. Haven’t seen those shelves in any store in many years, here. I don’t know where those items go these days. Maybe they just toss them, or I hope, donate them to soup kitchens, and shelters. I hope it isn’t wasted.
Hi MaryAnn, I think the food pantries and Food banks are better, at least that’s what I’ve heard. We used to help pack the boxes years ago, and they had fresh meat and vegtables as well as canned goods. Bread, flour and some baking goods. Now with food stamps (EBT cards) on the rise people can buy what they want as long as it isn’t cooked. Papa Murphy’s pizza is uncooked so it was very popular for the large families in Southern Utah who had EBT cards. My concern is having food for all those not on food stamps or who do not need to use the food banks or pantries, food is so expensive. God bless those who need food, share what we can. Linda