Hello Wonderful Community,
Melissa here, reaching out to remind you that September is Hunger Action Month. Did you know that in the US alone, over 34 million people are living with food insecurity? Working people. Children. Seniors. Military. Disabled. Homeless.
Food insecurity doesn't discriminate.
At Modern Prairie, our hearts are set on filling some hungry tummies in our own community, and we hope to inspire you to do the same!
Click here to find your local food banks!
As of 2024, one-in-five Americans rely on soup kitchens and food banks to survive. If you have time to volunteer, it's a beautiful opportunity to be of service and really see with your own eyes, the good that can be done. If you're not able to volunteer, as many of us are not— one of the most accessible ways we can help nourish our community is through local food donations!
What Should I Donate?
Top 10 Items Food Banks Need the Most
Please note: Some food banks don't accept glass jars!
- Peanut Butter- High in protein and enjoyed by children and adults alike, peanut butter is the MOST requested food donation item.
- Canned Meats- Canned chicken is a hearty and wholesome way to add protein to a quick & easy meal! Canned tuna and salmon provide essential vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Canned Beans- High in fiber and protein, canned beans are a satisfying and tasty way to add some additional substance to any meal.
- Pasta & Pasta Sauce- Filling, wholesome, kid-approved, and easy to prepare! Pro Tip: Opt for pasta sauce in cans instead of glass jars.
- Canned Vegetables- Veggies are always in high-demand at food banks! They have a long shelf-life, they are nutrient-rich, fiber-dense, and they are the easiest way to add a healthy option.
- Pantry Staples- This one often gets overlooked! Almost as important as having food, is being able to properly prepare it! Food banks are always running low on flour, sugar, spices, salt & pepper, condiments, and cooking oils!
- Healthy Cereal- It's often kids and seniors who eat cereal for breakfast because it's fast & simple to prepare. Food banks wind up getting a lot of the sugary stuff, but it's important for both kids and seniors to start their day with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Healthy "After-School" Snacks- Applesauce cups, granola bars, whole-grain crackers, etc.—wholesome foods that don't need to be prepared that a hungry kid can just grab off the shelf.
- Baby Formula- Another high-demand item because baby formula is pricey, and not every mother is able to breastfeed. Many families get government assistance with formula, but it never hurts to have on hand.
- Baby Food- Same with the formula, food banks are always happy to have some healthy options available for infants, just in case.
Are You Planning to Participate?
If you are making a food donation, donating your time, or if you have any additional tips for how we can all support our communities during Hunger Action Month, we'd love to hear from you in the comments below!
You can make a difference!
With oceans of love,
12 comments
One thing I’ve learned is to keep the food prep methods of the population in mind. Not everyone has access to the things we take for granted. Canned prepared pasta, veggies & fruit great, but look for pop top cans for folks without can openers. We may try to limit packaging, but if you only have access to a microwave, individual, microwaveable portions are best. The same for lack of refrigeration. Look for shelf stable juices and milk boxes, tuna or chicken in pouches, canned meats, vienna sausages, etc. Are extras required to complete boxed dinners and mixes readily available? Maybe an all-in-one prodict is better. Think about portability. Small, individual portions are easier to carry and store than large cans and boxes. Consider donating things like individual hand wipes or packaged silverware settings too.
I am overjoyed on this line you are sharing with us! Nice work!
Pancreatic cancer has been a part of my life since 2001. I am a two time Pancreatic Cancer survivor. I’m so blessed for the surgeons who pulled me through both times and took care of me.
My husband and kids were amazing!! I am blessed to have such a strong family support system.
Thank you again for everything and may God bless you.
Patty Younce
Thank you for all you are doing. We run a childcare/preschool business and see the food issue on a daily basis. Over the years we have families that struggle so without them feeling bad about it we do family night out and feed the children so the adults can have me time without kids and work so the children get a nice hot meal. We also sponsor a family for the holidays and send a gift card for the families to have a chance and eat out like everyone else. We also help with what’s called here food sense that will give families good quality meat products at a low cost to help their money go a little farther. Also there is our local food banks for the school district one close by and one in the square(about 10mins away) we donate and have food drives. When we see the kids really struggling we make sure on weekends we send home a family meal. We make it look like we made too much lunch food and send it home with the kids. This makes them not feel bad and we know they had a good hot meal over the weekend. There is so much everyone can do and we love what you are doing also! Thank you!!
There’s lots of people who can’t have gluten these days and gluten free foods are typically more expensive. Gluten free pastas, flour, baking mixes, and some nut-free items are an excellent idea— and could be life-saving for people who are out of work or living paycheck to paycheck and have family members with food allergies or intolerances.
Thank you so much for bringing awareness and education to food insecurity in our nation. I donate to my local one too- every little bit really does count- blessings for all families and for the organizations that are helping- 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽