So, you’ve made a great decision to make a charitable contribution before the end of the year. In the spirit of the season, it’s important to know what to donate.

For some, it makes more sense to donate food than to donate money. We need food to fulfill our promise to drive hunger from our local communities and end hunger for good.

But what should you give? Here are some of the best foods to donate to a charity near you.

Dry Goods

Dry goods of all sorts make good foods to donate, largely because when properly stored, they have a longer shelf life.

This includes flour, dried beans and peas, dried fruits, cereal, grains and oats, all of which can be kept for months with little to no deterioration in their quality. Many of them are also packed with nutrients and calories and remarkably easy to prepare.

In fact, one of the best dry goods to donate is pasta. It is lightweight, easy to handle and transport, easy to prepare, and packed with energy and nutrients. Pasta also keeps for a long time and requires no refrigeration, making it an excellent option for donation.

Canned Foods

Canned foods also make an excellent choice for a charitable donation of food. If you got here looking for a place that you could donate canned foods near you, you’re on the right track with your thinking so far.

Like dried goods, canned goods have an extended shelf life and do not require climatic controls in order to remain viable. However, with canned goods, there is a great deal more flexibility with what you can donate.

For instance, you can donate canned fruits, canned vegetables, beans, and proteins, like canned fish and meat. You can also choose to give canned sauces, jams and soups, all of which are easy to handle, store, transport, and prepare. Most importantly,are full of nutrients.

Canned meats (like fish and chicken) and beans, especially, make good donations, as they are rich in protein and fats that are needed to provide energy, and they’re  optimal for health.

If you have the option, donate foods canned in metal alloys instead of in glass. Glass jars, like metal cans, are shelf stable, but since they can break, they are not as preferable as metal cans.

Nut Butters

Nut butters don’t quite qualify as dry goods, but they are fairly shelf stable, nonetheless.

Additionally, nut butters, like peanut butter and almond butter, are extremely rich in fats and nutrients, and can provide a good deal of energy and nutrients. While not a meal on their own, they can be added to many recipes to provide extra flavor and nutrients.

Easy handling, many uses, and not requiring refrigeration are just some of the reasons that peanut butter is one of the most-requested foods by food banks. If you have some to spare, consider donating it to a food bank near you.

Cooking Essentials

Food products are not the only things you can donate to help support the operations of a local charity or food pantry. Cooking essentials and other pantry stock all go a long way towards fighting food insecurity.

Cooking essentials, such as cooking oils, flour, and sugar, are all necessary to prepare food and add calories and nutrients of their own. Olive oil, seed oils, vinegar, salt, corn starch, baking soda, sugar, and flour are all good options.

Similarly, other pantry stock staples, such as condiments and sauces, as well as dried herbs and spices, are also accepted by many food banks. These, like the other items mentioned, can add flavor, nutritional value, and in some cases, calories, too.

What Not to Donate

While the items covered in this list represent the most valuable food you can donate to charities and food banks, there are some things you should not donate.

The first and most obvious two things are items that have been opened, as well as any items that are past their expiration date. Leftovers and foods with compromised packaging should also not be donated.

Some food pantries might also not be willing to accept prepared foods, like baked goods, or even fresh foods. Always check with a donation center before attempting to donate any fresh food.

Also, unless otherwise cleared to do so, you should not donate any food that requires refrigeration. Some centers may accept them whereas others may not.

Where to Donate Canned Foods Near You

Wondering where you can donate canned foods near you, or any of the other staples mentioned in this article? Start right here with us at Philabundance. If you’re in our area, we accept one time donations, and we’ll even pick them up. We also accept drop-offs at our Philabundance warehouse, by appointment – see the previous page for more details on pick-ups and drop-offs.