Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away – can you believe it?! I hope as you’re making plans for your holiday meals and festivities that you pause for a moment and consider those less fortunate around us. This time of year, food pantries and homeless shelters are often in need of donations to serve the many individuals that don’t have a home to visit or food to eat for the holidays.
If you decide to donate, I’d encourage you to pick up some healthy choices for your donation. While any donation is of course appreciated by these organizations, many are seeing an influx of foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium – think sugary cereals, ramen noodles, or cookies. Instead, let’s choose items that can help to nourish others – isn’t that what we’d want for ourselves if we were in that situation? I know that many of us struggle with our own grocery budgets already, so what I want to emphasize is that these don’t have to be expensive choices! Check out the choices below which are both inexpensive and good for the body:
Remember, any donation is appreciated by organizations that accept them – but we hope this list helps you choose some healthier options this season!
Will you be donating food this Thanksgiving season? Share with us in the comments!
- Low sodium cans of beans – These are wonderful for shelters and pantries. They can be eaten without cooking (for clients that are perhaps homeless or don’t have a stove), contain lots of protein and fiber, and are significantly lower in sodium than traditional varieties. Most low sodium varieties are priced the same as (or comparable to) regular varieties, and typically run just $0.50 to $1 each.
- Brown rice – This whole grain staple provides lots of energy and is a good source of fiber and several vitamins/minerals. Boxes typically cost $1-$2 each.
- Low sodium cans of vegetables – While canned vegetables typically run higher in sodium than fresh or frozen options, they can last a lot longer on a shelf at the pantry – and purchasing lower sodium varieties ensures a nutritional profile closer to fresh/frozen options. Vegetables contain many vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that people’s diets may fall short of.
- Healthy cereals – Check cereals for these three characteristics: it’s made from a whole grain, it contains six or less grams of sugar, and it contains two or more grams of fiber. If it meets all three criteria, it’s a great choice to donate.
- Peanut butter – A $3 jar of peanut butter can go a long way for someone whose hungry (particularly when combined with a loaf of whole wheat bread). Peanut butter has protein and healthy fats that can help people feel full longer.
- Canned tuna fish – This inexpensive choice (typically only $1 per can) provides lots of protein, as well as omega-3 fatty acids that support heart and cognitive health.
- Powdered milk – This self-stable variety of milk provides calcium and Vitamin D, nutrients that many Americans don’t get enough of in their diet.
- Produce – **Not all pantries or shelters accept fresh produce, but some do.** Check before you buy any fresh produce to donate, as you wouldn’t want it to go to waste if it’s not accepted. If there’s a great sale on some fresh items at the supermarket and your pantry accepts produce, go ahead and grab a few extra for them! Winter squash like butternut, acorn, or buttercup squash are great options as they last for several weeks and often go on sale for as little as 40-80 cents per pound.
Remember, any donation is appreciated by organizations that accept them – but we hope this list helps you choose some healthier options this season!
Will you be donating food this Thanksgiving season? Share with us in the comments!
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