In the busy chaos of trying to prepare for the holidays, it is often overlooked that so many people will not get the beauty of sitting around a table and indulging in a Thanksgiving feast. In fact, 1 out of 6 people will not even know where their next meal will come from. It truly breaks my heart when I hear that so many are in need and I often feel helpless in how I can possibly help. As someone who desires to live a frugal and simple life, I am always looking for those “scraps of life” ways that I can give back to others. This is just another way that I want to share with you that you can give back to others, both simply and within your own budget.
You may not have noticed the food barrels at your local Walmart store as you are hurrying off to do your holiday shopping. Well, I am excited to share that Walmart is running a Fighting Hunger Together Campaign and providing barrels where you can make a food donation to help support food pantries that are desperately in need right now. These barrels are conveniently located near the entrance of the store (mine was located right outside of the grocery side of our local store) where you can drop off your donations as you are entering or leaving to do your shopping.
If you’re thinking about giving to a food drive, here are a few of the items currently needed:
- Canned Meats (tuna, chicken, stews)
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
- Spaghetti Sauce & Noodles
- Canned Beans (baked, garbanzo, kidney)
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Fruits (in light syrup)
- Juice Boxes (100% juice)
- Cereals (boxed, oatmeal)
The food pantries can also use basic household items and toiletries, like toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant and diapers (sizes larger than newborn). If you’re thinking about donating to a food drive, Walmart is conducting an in-store food drive through Monday (11/22), so please head out there this weekend and lend your support.
I encourage you to take a moment to visit the Fighting Hunger Together site and learn more about these efforts to feed the hungry. When you visit, be sure to “Like” your own community. Votes will be tallied to see where the donations will be going.
Below is a video of our family taking our own trip to do a donation. With just fifty dollars, we were able to donate 49 items for the cause. We gathered up many of the items for just a mere fifty cents or so each! The kids were thrilled to help and we were proud that we were able to contribute to such a worthwhile cause.
I am a part of the Walmart Moms program, and Walmart has provided me with compensation for these posts. My participation is voluntary and opinions are always my own.
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I love that the holidays increase our awareness of giving. There are so many opportunities for us to share our abundance!
Nathan’s preschool just did a food drive, and it was a great chance to talk to him about the issue and how we can make a small difference!
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Amy Reply:
November 20th, 2010 at 10:10 am
I agree, Carrie! I think it is important to involve your kids and share with them why it is important to give back. It just wouldn’t be the same if my husband & I did that alone. Kids must be a part of the process of learning to give to others. Happy Holidays to your family!! xo
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There is no such thing as a bad donation – but in many cases donating cash to your local food pantry could feed more people than donations of canned food.
Many food pantries belong to food banks where they buy food at a fraction of retail. So that dollar you paid for a can at the grocery store could buy 10 cans from the food bank.
Check out http://CashFeedsMore.org for more information, and watch the humorous and educational Cash Man Rap video.
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I think it’s fantastic that you’re teaching your children that it’s important to give in your own community, to help your neighbors when they need a hand. You never know when you might need some help in return, and caring makes for better communities.
I would like to chime in on one thing-a lot of us coupon collectors are able to get loads of things for free. Things like deoderant, toothbrushes, soap, dental floss and toothpaste are always needed at shelters and are very often on such a great sale that, with the double coupons that many grocers do now, you can get them at no cost. Personal hygeine items are not something that can be purchased with EBT cards (food “stamps”), so it can really be a huge help to people to get some of these items.
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