Essential Food Bank Donations for the Holidays (Plus What Not to Donate!)
We’re sharing the best food bank donations to make and a few to avoid!
The holiday season can put an additional strain on food bank resources, so your donations matter! With this in mind, many individuals and organizations like to increase their donations leading up to Christmas to help meet the surging needs of their community.
Below, we’re sharing some things to remember when planning a donation to your local food bank. We’re covering the best food bank donations, things to avoid, and a few general ideas to keep in mind.
What donation items are at the top of food banks’ wish lists?
First and foremost, cash is always a welcome donation. Often, the food bank can use your monetary donation to purchase food at a discount. As a result, donating cash may stretch your dollar farther than purchasing food at the grocery store or another retailer.
If you’d like to donate food or personal care products, we have a list of items that food banks are always happy to receive, and some may surprise you!
- Shelf-Stable Proteins. Protein-rich foods are among the hardest for families to afford and are essential for balanced, filling meals:
- Canned tuna, chicken, or salmon (packed in water)
- Canned or dried beans and lentils (preferably low-sodium)
- Nut and seed butters (peanut, almond, sunflower)
- Canned chili, stew, or soups with meat or beans
- Whole-Grain Staples & Versatile Carbs. These long-lasting staples stretch meals and provide steady energy, especially for children and working adults:
- Whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, and oats
- Quinoa and other whole grains
- Whole-grain or low-sugar cereals
- Instant oatmeal packets
- Fruits & Vegetables. Supplying fruits and veggies helps families meet daily nutrition needs when fresh produce isn’t accessible:
- Canned vegetables (low or no added salt)
- Canned or cup-packed fruit in juice, not syrup
- Shelf-stable fruit or vegetable juice (100%)
- Diced tomatoes or tomato sauce (low sodium)
- Cooking Basics & Pantry Essentials. Help transform donated staples into actual meals
- Cooking oils (olive, canola, vegetable:
- Low-sodium broths, soups, and sauces
- Shelf-stable milk or plant-based milk alternatives
- Flour, sugar, and baking mixes
- Salt, pepper, and basic spices
- Non-Food Household & Hygiene Items. Families often can’t buy these essentials with food assistance benefits, yet they’re critical for dignity and daily living:
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo
- Deodorant and feminine hygiene products
- Diapers, baby wipes, and formula (check dates)
- Paper towels, toilet paper, and basic cleaning supplies
- Seasonal Items (when accepted). Help families stay safe and comfortable through weather changes and outdoor conditions:
- Gloves, hats, socks, and warm layers during winter
- Bottled water and sunscreen during summer
If you’re looking to keep costs down while giving generously, there are plenty of smart ways to stretch your budget. Dollar Tree and other discount stores are great places to stock up on staple items like canned proteins, pasta, and hygiene essentials. You can often find even better deals by watching weekly grocery store sales on pantry staples or stacking digital coupons and rewards, especially at stores like Walgreens, where certain items can end up being free after points and promotions.
Smart Donor Tips: Buy bulk packs and split them into individual donations so families can use them right away. When possible, choose “low-sodium” or “no added sugar” options for better nutrition. Stick to recognizable brands when shopping at discount stores, since some off-brand items have shorter shelf lives or lower nutritional value. Little choices like these can make a big difference in both quality and impact.
Hip Tip: Be sure to check with your local food bank to see if they can accommodate perishable foods like milk, eggs, butter, margarine, fresh meat, and produce. Many food banks cannot accept these items, but if they can, these foods will be greatly appreciated by the recipients.
What not to donate to a food bank:
- Alcohol: Food banks cannot accept wine, beer, or spirits, even unopened.
- Opened or Used Items: Anything that’s been opened, partially used, or unsealed must be discarded.
- Expired Food: Check dates carefully. Expired or hard-to-read expiration labels make items ineligible.
- Homemade Food: Baked goods, home-canned items, or leftovers can’t be accepted for safety reasons.
- Perishables (unless requested): Fresh produce, dairy, or meat are often restricted unless the food bank has proper storage.
- Damaged Packaging: Dented cans, torn boxes, or broken seals are typically rejected.
Foods often overdonated to food banks:
(Still fine to donate, but these are already well-stocked or harder for families to use.)
- Boxed Macaroni & Cheese: Requires milk and butter, which many food bank clients don’t have access to.
- Seasoned Rice or Pasta Mixes: Often call for butter or oil, making them less practical for some households.
- Hamburger Helper or Similar Meal Kits: These need ground beef or other perishables that most food banks can’t provide.
- Spaghetti & Pasta Sauce: Great staples, but so commonly donated.
- Peanut Butter & Jelly: Always appreciated, but frequently over-supplied, consider shelf-stable alternatives like nut-free spreads, crackers, or tortillas instead.
Before you drop off your donation, call or check your local food bank’s website for their current needs, as they change weekly! You can also double your impact by hosting a mini drive with friends or coworkers! Every item adds up, and your thoughtful giving helps fill both plates and hearts in your community.
I recently volunteered at a Food Bank with work and the Director told me cans of Chef Boyardee are the #1 thing they wished they received more often. This is because kids often make their own lunch/dinner while parents are working.
This is great. I am currently in a new position at a University in California. Our current pantry is terrible, and I am working on upgrading it to include choices (e.g., grape and strawberry jam, different kinds of pasta, etc.). Just because you are food insecure doesn’t mean you can’t have choices. My vision is to have only halal-approved meat—so everyone can eat it—gluten-free options, and healthy options as well. Frozen and fresh veggies. Hygiene items – not just 4 or 5 tampons but boxes they can take. I hope we can pull it off!
What an awesome vision that includes choices and fresh options as well, Emily! 🎉 Wishing the best of luck to the food pantry endeavor! ❤️ Glad you enjoyed this list!
Wow, that’s such an amazing way to support your local food pantry! 💖 Love the idea of putting together birthday cake kits – so thoughtful! 🎂 And it’s awesome that you’re finding deals on all the essentials. Thanks for sharing this great idea, acgold!
My college has 4 campuses, with a food pantry for the students, many of whom are parents, on each. In order to subsidize the offerings provided via grant money, it has become customary for all faculty and staff to donate a few items at the biannual all-employee meetings. With over 1000 employees college-wide, this really helps fill the shelves.
Mac and cheese can be made without milk and butter. Boil it in enough water to cover a bit higher than the pasta. The water will thicken with the starch. Drain it, but save the water. Add the sauce mix, and stir in enough water to make the sauce, adding more if necessary. If it’s too thick, add a little plain water.
This is exactly how those little individual cups are made. The dusty white powder in the cups is not milk, it’s extra starch.
Thanks for sharing, Jodi. Good to know and very helpful! 🤗 I wish companies would mention that option on the back of their boxes too. I feel like so many reference those cooking directions.
Cream soups, cranberry sauce and holiday items are helpful this time of year. Inexpensive spices and condiments are rare any time of year but are greatly appreciated.
Blessings boxes for those on the street don’t care if they are expired as long as they are shelf stable.
I found one on here with a ton of spices a few months ago. You can buy them in like a ts. size individually wrapped to stay fresh for like fifty cents each. It gives you a chance to try a bunch of new ones too. https://www.selefina.com/
How cool! Thanks for sharing your recent find! Awesome that you can grab some small samples for super cheap! 🙌
The local food pantry where I usually drop off donations at also accepts unopened/not expired pet food. Please check with your local food pantry. Neither people nor pets should go hungry.