The Giving Month: How to Fill the Real Need at Your Local Food Bank and Toy Drive
December is considered, by many, to be “The Giving Month,” and there are good reasons for that. There are several cultural and religious holidays within these 31 days, there are more visible opportunities to give to non-profit groups (I mean, those red Salvation Army buckets only pop up one month out of the year), and something about it getting colder outside strengthens that natural human tendency towards altruism and community.
Many of you likely already give - in big and small ways - and some of you may be wondering how to donate to food banks and toy drives in the most meaningful ways, i.e., what do people need that they’re not normally getting?
For Food Banks:
Canned food is great, BUT it can only be used if:
It is unexpired and undamaged (yes, this is an issue at many local food banks)
It can be opened without a can opener
Bonus points if it can be eaten at any temperature as a working kitchen is sometimes more of a luxury than a reality
Can openers - and other such tools and even other basic household items like:
Dish detergent
Toilet paper
Soap
Feminine hygiene products
Spices (even just salt and pepper) are greatly appreciated
Milk and butter (if donating things like Kraft mac n’ cheese)
Cooking oil
Tea and/or coffee
Sugar and flour
Eggs, fresh produce, and other perishables (like fresh meat) are sometimes accepted and always adored (please just check with your local food bank first)
Tuna and crackers always make a good meal
Photo by Aaron Doucett on Unsplash
For Toy Drives:
The age ranges that are often forgotten by donators are:
0-2 years
13-17 years
If you are donating a bike - first, thank you because that’s incredible!
And please remember the helmet too
Please also remember to donate batteries if you are donating a toy or item that needs batteries to work
Hair straighteners, curling irons, and makeup are popular
Sensory toys (kinetic sand, slime, etc.)
Small stocking stuffers are appreciated by all ages
So are legos (when in doubt, legos are always a good choice)
Times are tough for many and it’s okay if donating to a food bank or toy drive isn’t in the cards because giving can show up in so many different ways. Sometimes, it's babysitting a friend or family member’s child so they can make an appointment, sometimes it’s making a neighbor a casserole, and sometimes it's giving someone at a bus stop an extra granola bar you have on you. The important thing is to remember that we’re all in this together, and we all need a little help sometimes. It’s also important to remember that asking for help is hard for many people for various reasons and that people need help all year - not just in December. So, if you come to the new year and feel like you couldn’t give to your community as much as you wanted this month, don’t worry because you’ve got all of 2024 to connect with neighbors in all the ways you want!
Happy Holidays and Happy Giving!
Angela Di Filippo currently works in State Social Services and recently earned her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with extensive training in evidence-based leadership coaching. Angela moved from North Carolina to Washington 6 years ago and has proudly called Everett her home for 5 of those years. When not helping others solve problems in creative and strength-driven ways, Angela enjoys her time painting, hiking with her terrier-mix, Indy, and eating waffles.
