Today, I got to be a small part of the solution.

[tblue37]

12. Yes, and nice to get a "treat.". Whenever I donate to food drives, I always include

non-perishabe items that kids who don't usually get treats will consider a nice surprise. I hate that most American parents fill their kids up with sugar and junk food. But kids whose food comes largely from food banks must get sick of rice, dried beans, boxed mac and cheese, canned peas and corn, and other such non-perishables that comprise most donations.

Yes, those are nutritious staples that can be stretched to feed the family for a while. But I like to think of the kids (and some adults, too, no doubt) who get a bag of lollipops or pudding cups for a treat or a box of pancake mix and bottle of syrup for a less utilitarian breakfast. Those things are not as healthy as more utilitarian foodstuffs, and lollipops are just sugar junk. But I bet some little kids' eyes light up when Mommy gives her a lollipop.

Frozen pizzas probably will be a nice change of pace for the families that get them. I didn't realize that food banks would accept them. Now I know something else to offer.

BTW, about food banks and food drives. It is great to participate in food drives, but even more effective to donate cash. The people who run food banks are skilled at getting a bigger bang for the buck. The money you spend buying things to put into a bag for a food drive can usually purchase two or three times as much if donated directly to the foodbank. Also, they know what they have tons of and what they don't have enough of.

One more thing: When donating to shelters and places that help those who need assistance, consider also donating personal items, like toothbrushes and toothpaste, tampons and pads, shampoo and deodorant, small packs of kleenex, etc. And for homeless shelters, gloves, socks, and warm scarves are welcome.