How can we fill the food bank when we cant fill our pantrys?

I think it's a matter of sacrifice. I don't have much money either as you all know, but I always find a one to donate to either the human or pet food drives outside my local grocery store. If I'm really strapped for cash; I'll put back candy or treats to do the right thing (feeding poor people real food is more important than satisfying my sweet tooth).

We seem to be getting to the point that there are much more "have nots" than "those that have" in the country. You do have to take care of your own household first before you can help others. I get a lot of freebies using coupons, sales etc. I saved them up and took a big back of items to the local family violence center. But now, things are much tighter for my parents, my neighbors and my brother and sister's familes, so I distribute the freebies that I collect amont them and there isn't much left over now to put together anything to take to the charity organizations. Still, as we get closer to the holidays. I want to try to put together another bag of items to take to the local family violence center. This is when it matters most to give..when it's the hardest.

I know it's harder to give when things are tight. We've had a few really good sales here, though, so I've bought extra for canned food drives, etc. Big Lots has cranberry sauce for 33 cents a can. Since I usually use two cans at about 80 cents each, I bought two extra and it didn't cost me as much as I usually spend. Also, donating cash to food banks will sometimes help them better than donating food, because they can buy at wholesale or discounted rates. Even a dollar now and then will help.

I think there are alot of us in the same situation. There are also more going to food banks. I am not sure what we are all going to do.

Well, we have a decent pantry that we managed to build up over this summer (friends of the family always give us stuff they can't use)...so if there's a food drive, we pick stuff that we don't really like eating as well as some cans of food from where it's most plentiful and put it in a box. It's not usually that much, but it's something. We're fortunate to have friends. Sometimes we even get free food from local freecycle groups along with stuff we call to go get. So we always set that aside as well. In times like these, you just do what you can, help who you can. We're all lucky to have what we do, at this point. We just gotta do our best.

I have no idea. I've been worried about our pantry too. It's enough to try to keep the bills current & then thinking about keeping our fridge filled makes me bout want to cry myself. Shoot I"m dreading adding the heating bill on top of what's already piling up. If day care wasn't so expensive I'd be working full time again and we'd be ok, but that's a few yrs out yet.

Up to this point in my life, I have lived in poor condition but we are never out of food supply. We still have some food with us every day and it is a gratitude to God. Now our life is getting better but I still maintain the old lifestyle because I don't like spending on unnecessary things. We put aside as much as we can for rainy days and the food supply helps us a lot. Here in my country we don't have food banks. Actually I have never heard of a food bank before. If there is a food bank in my country I think I can contribute something to it. I am not able to give too much, but at least I will give something. It is better to give something little, because a little is better than nothing. For example I will donate a can of sardine each month. Even though it is just a small contribution, at least 2 or 3 people can get the benefit from it. I think if everybody has the mentality to share the least, we can ensure a constant supply in the food bank.

I know what you mean. How can everyone do there part and help out the needy when everyone lately don't have as much as they did a year ago.I guess if anyone can even spare one or two can's of food this year it will help. I know during the Thanksgiving season at the store's they lower there prices on can pumpkin and other can goods. I guess it's best to pick up a extra can or two to donate if people can afford that this year. I know I could spare a few dollars on can goods to donate.Things are tough all over now and they need to solicit donations from rich people who have more money to donate this year.Not us poor peeps!

Fortunately our pantry was over stocked when prices on food started to go up. I am really bad about that. Canned goods, dried beans, peanut butter, and cereal galore. I still have a decent amount in there. I should probably donate some of the cereal to the food pantry while it is still fresh. I am sure that it is really hard for people. Especially people who did not have that extra supply of food to begin with.

Times are getting harder and harder for everybody. Our local food bank has always had a large reserve and was always there with a million or so meals for global catastrophes such as tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes, but now they're having a hard time just helping the locals. My pocket book is screaming I'm pinching pennies so hard, but I have food. An extra bag of beans or rice or one can of canned goods doesn't sound like much, but multiply that by the community that can give just that little bit and it's amazing how far it will go. Yes I can eat one more meal a week without meat and/or fresh veggies to give to someone who has nothing. Granted many of those who ask for help at the food banks are working the system, but I can't quit giving because of them. There are too many who are truly needy.

everybody is having a rough time i think all except for rich folks. i'm sure not buying as many groceries as i normally do. i don't know how you'd doboth. i do feel like some of the people going to the food banks could probably get out & go to work. there are too many taking advantage of frrebies now adays. have u been behind somone at the grocery store that have a basket full , years younger than i am anyway & they pull out their food stamp card. it gripes the devil out of me. if the goverment would tighten down on some of that stuff, able-bodied people would have to get out & go to work like i did for 47 years. would probably still be working if my health had not got too bad for me to work.

Our local food banks are running low as well. We take donations of needed items at our church. I will admit I can't always afford to do so, but if I can spare even one can of food, I know that will help. Times are tough for many right now, so I'm sure whatever anyone can spare would be greatly appreciated. If you think about it, one donated can of food per household adds up to a lot if many people do it. Best wishes!

What I will do sometimes is take advantage of the buy one get one free sales at the grocery store. Keep one for us, put the other aside for the food bank. Our church collects food for the local food pantry. We can bring anything we want, but the church officially committed to donate 25 jars of mayonaise each month. Sometimes it is much easier when a group bands together to give.