Since food insecurity is an issue faced by individuals in every single ZIP Code in the country, by giving to a food donation center in your area, you’ll be helping some of your neighbors, even if you didn’t know it.
With that said, food donation centers all have their own guidelines and protocols, so it’s best to make sure you answer at least the following 8 questions before you attempt to set up a donation.
Start here and see if you can answer them all!
What Are Their Hours?
This should be apparent, but you’ll be wasting your own time if you bring a donation to a food donation center and they’re closed when you get there.
For instance, our warehouse at Galloway Street in South Philadelphia is only open between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, and even so, you need an appointment to make a one-time donation anyway!
Do I Need to Make an Appointment?
If you plan to bring your donation to our food donation center, you need to make an appointment. Please see the previous link for information on how to do so.
With that said, you do not actually need to visit our warehouse in order to make a donation; you can do so through one of our many community partners. See the same link above for details on what to do (donations under 1,000 pounds only).
Are There Any Foodstuffs This Donation Center Will Not Accept?
Every food donation center has guidelines about what foods can and cannot be accepted, and Philabundance is no different.
For instance, we cannot accept:
- Food that is packaged in trash bags or USDA boxes
- Food in damaged or bloating containers
- Food that appears to be past prime (for instance, if it is emitting an unpleasant odor)
- Freezer burned food
- Foods that show signs of mold growth
- Any food that does not have an ingredient list
- Meats that are intended to be consumed raw (such as shellfish)
- Food packaged on mixed pallets that also contain cleaning chemicals
These are only a few of the items that we unfortunately cannot accept. For more detailed information, please see our Warehouse Donation Guidelines, and, of course, contact us if you have any questions.
What Are Some of the Best Things to Donate?
Food donation centers may be willing to accept a wide range of different types of food stuffs, but some of the better things to donate include:
- Nonperishable beverages
- Frozen goods (that are properly packaged and completely frozen, of course)
- Non-perishable and dry goods, such as cereal, crackers, dried pasta, rice, and other grains
- Canned goods, such as vegetables, soups, broth, condiments, and nut butters
Naturally, we also accept donations of other types of foods, including fresh foods, dairy, eggs, and juices, but there are additional guidelines for what we can accept with respect to packaging, intended use, condition, and date. See our Warehouse Donation Guidelines (link above) for more details.
Is There Anything I Can Donate Besides Food?
There are plenty of things you can donate besides food. For instance, you can make a gift of money if that is more convenient for you, which may even be tax deductible (speak with your accountant).
You can also make donations of non-food items like paper products, laundry detergents and cleaners, pots, pans and other cookware, and appliances, among other items.
Will the Food Donation Center Come and Pick Up My Donation?
Some may, so it’s worth looking into this before you plan to donate, especially if you have a lot to donate and don’t have a lot of time to physically make the donation yourself. Get in touch with the food donation center in question and see what the requirements are for pick up.
How Can I Maximize My Impact?
There are lots of ways to do so, but one of the best has got to be to look into a company match. Check with your HR representative to see if your company offers a match and make sure you capitalize on it if you can!
Does This Food Donation Center Need Volunteers?
Giving money and food are just two ways to support a food donation center or a local charity. Volunteers are the lifeblood of Philabundance and we are always looking for helpful individuals to help keep the ship sailing. There are also lots of ways to get involved and volunteer. See the previous link for more information.
How Do I Get in Touch with the Food Donation Center (in Case I Have Other Questions)?
It’s always important to be prepared with contact information, especially because this list of questions is far from complete! If you have questions that aren’t answered here, feel free to contact us at donatefood@philabundance.com, by phone at 215-339-0900, or contact us through our website!
