Giving is a big part of the holiday season. Making donations to food banks and those in need is something many people do around Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m one of those people.
And as one of those people, I’m always trying to think what people in need and the homeless might really like. I recently saw a list floating around social media of things to keep in mind when you donate to food banks or put items in blessing boxes. There were a couple of things on that list that I had never considered.
For instance, unless you’ve been poor and without food or really down on your luck, you might not have considered that if you donate Kraft Mac and Cheese, a person would also have to have milk and butter to make it, and these items are rarely supplied by most food banks. Hamburger Helper is not really all that great without ground hamburger meat. Oil is needed for Rice a-Roni.
Peanut butter and jelly are great – but you need bread for a sandwich. These are all items that you often see in donation boxes. I’m not knocking anyone's donations, but if we really want to help those in need, then we need to think how we can best help them.
I have decided from now on I will be more mindful to purchase donated items that don’t require adding anything but water when I purchase mixes. Examples of good items that can be made with water include rice, oatmeal, dried lentils and some pancake mixes. (I’ll make sure that I donate syrup when I donate pancake mix.
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