SPICE UP THEIR LIVES, FEED THE HUNGRY — If you read this column on a regular basis you know I support our local food pantries, especially the JFS Food Pantry and Yachad-The Kosher Food Pantry sponsored by Chabad. Regular readers probably also know that I often learn things about people, places and things in our community from Facebook.
So as I was perusing Facebook a week or so ago I came across a re-post from a friend — I honestly can’t remember who actually posted it — from a radio station in Pasco, Wash., by DJ Woody. It’s titled “10 Things Food Banks Need But Won’t Ask For” (http://1027kord.com/10-things-food-banks-need-but-wont-ask-for/). Woody’s top 10 things are: spices, feminine products, chocolate, toiletries, canned meats and jerky, crackers and tortillas, baby toiletries, soup packets, socks and canned fruit other than pineapple.
After reading this, I went to the website Woody used to compile his list, AskReddit.com, where this question was posed:
“People who work at or have needed to get food from a food bank, what’s the one food that you wish more people donated and why?” Here’s one of the answers I found the most interesting:
“I am a former homeless and food pantry user, and what I loved most about getting my little box of staples was the occasional luxury foods. Food pantries have tons of canned veggies and beans and even salted meats, but getting to enjoy a bit of chocolate or something else I wouldn’t dream of buying at the time made my holiday.
“Also, spices, especially pepper and red pepper flakes and garlic. They can make any bland dish better and last a good long time.”
I also thought this was thought-provoking:
“I’ve worked at a few food pantries. A lot of people need/request hygiene items, and (in my experience) food banks do stock them, though they’re not frequently supplied.”
“If you can’t afford food, you probably can’t afford tampons, diapers, toothcare supplies, soap, detergent, toilet paper, razors, surface cleaners etc.”
The post ended with great advice, something similar to what a friend told me once.
“I read once that the best policy is to think if you would feed it to your child or your grandmother. If the answer is no, then no one else wants it either.” That includes things that are good to put in kids’ lunch bags for school such as granola bars, individual fruit cups or pudding cups, etc…
Now I was really intrigued so I contacted my friends at JFS to see if the information in the article rang true and if they could add anything specific to the JFS Food Pantry. Jo Hickey, the pantry director, said she had seen a similar list and also found it interesting. She said it is true, and most people already know this, that the item the pantry needs the most is canned protein: tuna, chicken and chili.
“We also go through protein replacements like canned beans very quickly.”
Hickey said other items not frequently thought of are razors, feminine hygiene products, condiments, spices, paper goods and cleaning supplies. Since JFS serves many immigrants from other cultures in the community, items like beets, olives and sauerkraut are very popular. Other considerations are that many European cultures shop frequently (almost daily) so some clients prefer items that are not canned.
“JFS would be happy to provide a reusable shopping bag for donors to keep in their vehicle as a reminder to shop for one more while they are in the store. We are very lucky to have partnerships with groups like Harvesters, The Mitzvah Garden, Liberty Fruit, Price Chopper, Hen House, Happy Bottoms and Giving the Basics, but we should not become complacent and rely on those groups solely,” so, she added, JFS needs your support all the time.
We’re past the big holiday giving times. The next big push for food will be Passover. But don’t wait. Those of us who have, need to make sure we provide for others. It’s cold outside folks. Some people will have to choose whether they can pay their heating bills or their grocery bills. Help them out. Take a bag of food to one of our local Jewish food pantries. Or send them a check. Don’t put it off.