Ideas for easy harvest festival/food bank donations beyond pasta, rice and beans etc

[Thisusernameisalwaysavailable]

It's harvest festival time, and lots of organisations are taking in food and toiletries donations.

So, we always give sweet treats, like packs of biscuits, tubes of sweets, hot chocolate mixes, milkshake mixes and milk, little cake bars, jelly pots etc

We try and give stuff that doesn't need preparation / too many ingredients/ use too much electric

We also make sure to donate free from foods, and things like Advent calendars in October and November.

What other good stuff is there to donate that isn't pasta, rice and and endless tins of beans?

My local food bank is requesting stuffing, chutney, cranberry sauce, custard, uht cream, canned fruits, packs of biscuits, washing up liquid, sanitary items, canned ham

As @bababamamasays, you need to look at what's being requested specifically at the place you're taking it to and choose something off that list. Everywhere will have different requirements.

Shampoo, toilet paper, sanitary towels, soap, toothpaste and brushes

The one I work for is always in need of washing powder / capsules, washing up liquid and long life milk. If you drop your foodbank a message I'm sure they'd be happy to let you know what they are short of.

I agree to asking, as PP says. I know it doesn’t give the ‘teachable moment’ for the kids, but what is often needed is cash so they can buy what’s needed when it’s needed, not have a massive influx at this time of year that needs to be stored and sorted.

If you can’t ask and want to get something - bigger sized nappies. People often get newborn sized, but there are plenty of toddlers in need.

I always do toiletries. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant.