If You're Moving Cross-Country, Food Pantries Want Your Food!

If You're Moving Cross-Country, Food Pantries Want Your Food!

Yes, you paid good money for the non-perishable food in your pantry. However, if you are looking at a long-distance move, why pay to move the food? Donate it to a local food bank! Do you really want to pay movers to ship your warehouse-store-sized pallets of toilet paper, tuna, toothpaste, boxed rice, or Gatorade? Donate them!

Food banks generally enjoy very generous donations of food, household items, diapers, and cash during the holiday season. However, during the summer, they can be hard pressed to service their clients the way they'd like to. Since school is out, many children are going without the breakfasts and lunches that some schools can provide for free or reduced cost. Many families are turning to food pantries for help.

Contact your local food bank to ask about any guidelines they may have. Search online or ask at your house of worship.

If you're located in Fairfield County, CT, please consider Operation Hope. I've done some fund-raising for them, and it's a passionate, well-run outfit. My wonderful Uncle Barney, and "second father" Linc, volunteer there, organizing the food bank inventory, so I know your donations will be in good hands!

Remember: when you're packaging the food to go, PLEASE be sure to check the expiration dates!