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How to Donate Food to a Soup Kitchen During the Holidays

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Soup kitchens rely on the generous support of people like you. Do your part by donating food this holiday season and throughout the coming year to feed those in need of a good meal.

Tips:

• Check the dates on canned goods and other foods to be sure everything is still good.
• Consider donating money to the soup kitchen if you want to help but can't find the time to buy and deliver food.

Steps:

1. Contact local soup kitchens and shelters to ask what they need most. You can find them in the local government section of your phone book, by calling information or by asking your town or city clerk's office.
2. Share a list of needed items with civic groups that may want to start a collection of canned goods.
3. Ask family and friends to donate supplies.
4. Provide canned goods, such as soups and vegetables and other nonperishable items.
5. Take advantage of two-for-one sales or other discount offers at the supermarket to provide food for people in need.
6. Buy condiments, rolls and drinks that recipients will enjoy.
7. Collect fresh produce from local farmer's markets or other areas where it's sold in bulk, and take it to a soup kitchen you want to support.
8. Make an extra turkey or a few pies when you cook for your own family, and donate these to a soup kitchen or a meals-on-wheels program in your community.
9. Contact local restaurants and hotels and ask if they'll donate leftover food from weddings, dinners and other special events to a soup kitchen. This will prevent good food from going to waste and will be a special treat for soup kitchen participants.
10. Deliver all the food to the soup kitchen in person.
11. Offer to help them inventory it and put it away if you have extra time.