What are the best foods to donate to food banks?

My local grocery store is holding a food drive, where you can purchase foods and donate them in a donation bin at the end of the registers.





I used to buy a lot of canned goods, but I understand that those are probably the easiest and most popular. I've read of suggestions for non-perishables to be donated, but I can't recall what they are. I think peanut butter was one of them





Suggestions?|||here's a list of basic items compiled from lists from various local places:


toilet paper, paper towels, tissues


soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, brush


dish soap, laundry detergent, disinfecting wipes/cleaner


disposable diapers (if they have babies/toddlers)


non-perishable foods:


cans of soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, canned milk, canned pasta


cereal, powdered milk, juice, powdered drink mixes


packages of beans, lentils, rice, pasta


peanut butter, jelly, gelatin


crackers, cookies, nuts, dried fruit, trail mix, granola bars





If you donate a pre-packaged type meal, make sure you include all the ingredients. For example, if you give them a box of Hamburger Helper, they would also need the hamburger and maybe milk and margarine, so you also need to be sure they have a way to store the perishable items.|||Here are a few ideas:


- peanut butter


- jam


- kraft dinner


- mr. noodles


- baby food


- formula


- juice boxes





Baby food and formula are a really good choice since not that many people seem to think about the babies when they donate.|||Formula


Crackers


Noodles (try Ramon since it's cheap and the tastiest)


Soup


Water|||Boxed pasta noodles.


Lots of them.