Clearing out the pantry for a food bank feels good, but what helps most is often different from what we happen to have. This guide covers what food banks ask for, what they have to turn away, and why a small cash gift often does more than a full bag of cans.
How big the need is
The best national measure of hunger in the U.S. has been the USDA Economic Research Service's yearly Household Food Security report. Its edition covering 2024 found that 13.7% of households, or 18.3 million, were food insecure at some point that year. That means 47.9 million people, 7.3 million of them children, according to ERS key statistics.
One thing to know: in September 2025 USDA announced it would end future editions of the report. The 2024 report was pushed back from its usual October release by the government shutdown, and Agri-Pulse called it the last food security survey USDA is scheduled to produce. That makes the figures above the most recent federal numbers, and you may see food banks rely more on their own data and on Feeding America's research from here on.
Why cash usually goes further
Food banks aren't just big pantries. They're distribution hubs that buy by the truckload, take in donated and rescued food from farms, manufacturers and grocers, and pass it on to local pantries, shelters and meal programs. That scale is why Feeding America says "every $1 donated helps provide at least 10 meals" through its network. Local food banks publish their own figures, and they vary by region, so check your food bank's site for its number.
Cash also lets a food bank buy what is actually short this week, whether that's protein, produce, baby formula or fresh milk. Most of those can't be dropped off in a grocery bag. And money doesn't have to be sorted, checked for dates and shelved by volunteers.
Quick take: If you can give either $20 or $20 of groceries, the $20 usually helps more. Food drives still matter, because they build community and they're a way for kids and coworkers to take part. A mix is great.
Before giving money, it's worth a quick look at how the organization operates. Our guide to vetting a charity covers ratings sites and Form 990 basics, and charitable tax deductions explains when a gift may be deductible.
The most-needed items
If you'd rather give food, aim for shelf-stable items with real nutritional value. Feeding America's guide to what to donate lists peanut butter, canned soup, fruit, vegetables, stew, fish and beans, and whole-grain pasta and brown rice. It adds that some food banks also accept personal care and household items.
| Category | Good picks | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Canned tuna, salmon or chicken; canned or dried beans; peanut butter in plastic jars | Protein is filling and costly, and it's among the most requested items on food bank lists |
| Whole grains | Brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, oatmeal, low-sugar cereal | Feeding America notes whole-grain pasta and brown rice are preferred |
| Fruits & vegetables | Canned fruit in juice, low-sodium canned vegetables | A shelf-stable way to get produce into a family's week |
| Complete meals | Hearty canned soups, stews, chili, pop-top meals | Easy for people without a full kitchen |
| Pantry boosters | Cooking oil, spices, shelf-stable dressings or marinades | Feeding America names olive oil, dressings and marinades as helpful when no refrigeration is needed |
| Non-food basics | Toothpaste, soap, diapers, menstrual products (if accepted) | Some food banks take personal care items. Ask yours first |
Wish lists change with the season, so look up your local food bank's current list. Feeding America's food bank locator will find it by ZIP code.
What to leave at home
Food banks have to protect the people they serve, so some well-meant donations end up in the trash. Per Feeding America's guidance, avoid:
- Perishables like produce, dairy and meat, unless your food bank runs a fresh-food program and has asked for them
- Expired food, meaning anything past its "use-by" or "sell-by" date
- Homemade food and leftovers, since there's no way to verify how they were prepared
- Damaged packaging: dented or bulging cans and opened packages
- Glass containers, which break in transit and storage
A simple rule from Feeding America's food drive page: donate only unexpired, unopened items in their original packaging. If you wouldn't serve it to your own family, don't donate it.
Give when giving drops off
Donations tend to cluster around Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. Need doesn't. In June 2026 a Lowcountry Food Bank leader told ABC News 4 that summer is one of its busiest times. Many school-year meal programs aren't available then, and donations "decline a little bit" because people tend to think of food banks during the holidays. A recurring monthly gift, or a drive in May or June, fills that gap. If you're thinking of running one, see how to organize a food drive.
Other ways to help
- Volunteer a shift. Sorting, packing and distribution days rely on volunteers. Our volunteering guide covers finding a good fit.
- Donate surplus the right way. Businesses and gardeners with extra food have legal protections and good options, covered in reducing food waste and sharing surplus.
- Share skills. Many pantries welcome help with translation, data entry, driving or grant writing.
- Cook with what you give. If you donate staples, you know what's in those boxes: rice, beans, canned fish, canned vegetables. Free resources like the daily pantry-friendly recipes on PantryRx and this guide to meal planning from what's already in your pantry are good to share with a pantry's newsletter or a neighbor working with a tight budget.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to donate money or food to a food bank?
Usually money. Food banks can buy at wholesale scale and pick exactly what's short. Feeding America says each $1 helps provide at least 10 meals through its network. Food donations still help, especially high-protein, shelf-stable items.
Can I donate expired canned food?
Generally no. Feeding America advises donating only food that hasn't passed its "use-by" or "sell-by" date. Some food banks have their own policies on "best by" dates, so ask locally.
Do food banks accept homemade food?
No. Homemade food and leftovers can't be verified for safety, so food banks turn them away. Look at a community fridge or a meal train for home cooking, and check their rules first.
Do food banks take toiletries and diapers?
Many do, but not all. Feeding America notes that some food banks accept personal care and household items. Check your local food bank's wish list before you shop.
Is the USDA still tracking food insecurity?
USDA announced in September 2025 that it would stop producing the annual Household Food Security report. The edition covering 2024, released late after a shutdown delay, is the latest federal data.
Sources
- USDA Economic Research Service — Food Security in the U.S.: Key Statistics & Graphics
- USDA ERS — Household Food Security in the United States in 2024 (ERR-358)
- OPB — USDA cancels survey tracking how many Americans struggle to get enough food (Sept. 2025)
- Agri-Pulse — Final USDA hunger survey shows food insecurity at 10-year high
- Feeding America — About us (network size)
- Feeding America — Ways to give
- Feeding America — What to donate to a food bank and what to avoid
- Feeding America — Host a food drive
- Feeding America — Find your local food bank
- ABC News 4 — Lowcountry Food Bank: Summer is among busiest seasons as donations dip (June 2026)