HELPING HUNGER
How do I find food banks near me and what are the volunteer opportunities?
BILLIONS of meals are distributed each year in the US in the ongoing fight against hunger.
The Feeding America network includes 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs.
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How do I find food banks near me?
Use the online search tool for the Feeding America network to find the nearest food bank.
Just plug in your zip code and you'll find out the information you'll need.
Feeding America "secures and distributes" 4.3billion meals each year, according to the network's website.
The organization adds that getting food to people in need "requires a robust infrastructure and a high degree of coordination."
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What are the volunteer opportunities?
There are quite a few different options if you want to volunteer as the coronavirus crisis continues.
You can keep the shelves stocked by putting together boxes of food for distribution, according to Feeding America.
With many families sheltered in place, you can deliver food to the needy.
Volunteers can also help raise money or spread awareness by working shifts online.
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What donations do food banks accept?
Food banks accept dry and canned food donations.
They often need such items as peanut butter, canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned fish, canned beans, pasta, and rice.
Some food banks accept personal care and household items.
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"If you’re still stumped about what to donate, just look in your own pantry," reads the Feeding America website.
"Families struggling with hunger often can’t afford the staples that we normally have stocked at home.
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"So, check your pantry out and go from there. Even specialty foods like olive oil, dressings or marinades can be helpful if they don’t need to be refrigerated."
On the flip side, do not donate something that is perishable.
Items that need refrigeration, expired food, leftovers, baked goods, and food with "packaging concerns" should also not be donated.