Food Pantry Donation Ideas
Protein-rich foods
- Canned fish - tuna, sardines, etc.
- Canned meats - Spam, chicken, deviled ham, etc.
- Canned beans
- Jerky / meat sticks
- Nuts
- Peanut butter
- Pouches of tuna
- Pre-packaged trail mix - emphasis on nuts and dried fruit over chocolate candies
- Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc.)
High-fiber foods
- Canned beans
- Popcorn
- Single-serve oatmeal
- Whole-grain crackers (e.g., Triscuits)
- Whole-grain tortillas
Other items
- Canned pasta
- Canned soup or chili
- Canned vegetables
- Cereal bars
- Dried fruit
- Granola bars
- Instant mashed potato pouches
- Pouches of rice
- Protein bars
- Ramen + Cup Noodles
- Shelf-stable meals (e.g., Hormel Compleats, Dinty Moore)
- Tortillas
Drinks
- Instant coffee packets
- Juice boxes
- Instant breakfast drinks (e.g., Carnation Breakfast Essentials)
- Packets of water flavoring
- Shelf-stable protein drinks
- Water bottles
Toiletries
- Bars of soap
- Deodorant
- Dish soap
- Individual rolls of toilet paper
- Laundry detergent
- Lip balm
- Lotion
- Mouthwash
- Safety razors
- Sanitary pads
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Tampons
- Tissues
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Wet wipes
Non-medicine first aid supplies
- Antibacterial wipes
- Anti-chafing products
- Band-aids
- Lip balm
- Lotion
- Moleskin
Please no:
- Disposable diapers (we take disposable diaper donations inside KPL!)
- Expired foods
- Medications or other drugs
- Perishable foods
- Takeout containers
Keep in mind:
- Grab-and-go foods are helpful for people without access to a kitchen
- High-sugar foods can be hard for people with diabetes
- Smaller containers of food and travel-size toiletries are easier to stock in our pantry