Having volunteered to sort and bag food for distribution, I'm aware that at some locations what is in the bag is pretty much the same every month. Much depends on your location. You may be eligible for food from a regional food bank - governmental - or from other locations, and there are some which have an agenda. Also if you are a senior, check with your local senior centers, you may be eligible for special distributions.
Please be aware of the following:
No food distribution needs your social security number. Even churches have been asking for this and I believe there is a potential for compromising your social security number - which has become a citizen ID number - for crime and privacy invasion. Most food banks do not put their volunteers through background checks. Churches are not social service with governmental ties. The only people who can or should be asking for your social security number is the social services of the United States or the state, and that is usually done in person at an intake. Seriously question and refuse any other church, non-profit, or other entity asking for your social security number. Never ever give it out over the phone.
If at all possible go to food banks that have a "no questions asked" policy.
Some churches are using giving out food, a Christian action, to pray over people in an attempt to convert them to their own beliefs. I personally find this offensive. If someone wants Christian credit for giving to humanity, let them have that credit with God, but some people are so hungry and poor that they go to a different food distribution every day or every week and are prayed over by many different faiths over that week. Implied also is that they would not need this food if they were not bad, or doing something wrong and that poverty is punishment. If find this to be even more offensive.
The places I volunteered at had a no questions asked policy.
Being human and hungry is enough.
If you have never been to a food bank or food distribution in the United States, let me also tell you the following.
1) Food Banks and Distributions are often under special rules from the Health Department so that no one who eats that food gets ill. Food such as meats, fish, and produce is supposed to be picked up and distributed quickly -within hours - to eliminate the possibility that it may be spoiled or contaminated. They are taking a tax deduction in many cases. It is a win for them because they also do not have to throw the food out. However, the volunteer staff often does not have the time to inspect the dates on the food. I've seen spoiled meats and vegetables donated that were sorted and thrown out. I've seen mold on bread.
I've also been in a situation where I was the only person who showed up and had to do the work of several people to get bags loaded.
You should inspect whatever you just got.
Food distribution volunteers are supposed to be washing their hands, covering their noses and mouths with masks, and wearing gloves for sorting and bagging - but I can tell you that they are often not. Wash your own hands and wash fruits and vegetables, even if it looks like they have come from the store in a pack.
Sometimes volunteers with bare hands will remove bad fruits or veggies from a pack and repack.
2) Expiration dates are usually "sell by" dates. If something is past that date, the store will donate it, and it is still good, but it depends on what it is. A spoiled part of an apple or onion can be cut off and can be seen but may not make it into a bag. Since I have a zero tolerance for food waste, I sometimes took these home knowing how to deal with them but in both cases some of the damaged or partly spoiled produce made it into compost.
Most canned goods are safe to eat for a few months or longer after the date on the can, but may loose some quality. Canned beans that have sat for a time can become gassy. Be concerned about meat and seafood. It should be cooked right away.
3) Although most food rescue groups are picking up from donating stores and distributing quickly, there are also "for profit" businesses that are acting as middlemen. Some of them are moving food from one county to another and just the transportation time makes the distribution time a question.
4) For those who do not have a kitchen or cold storage, many food banks have what is commonly thought of as "homeless bags" and if this is you, ask for that consideration. You may get salads that have been pre-packaged and have cooked meats in them. These need to be eaten right away. If you open one and take a bite and the flavor of the meat is questionable, the whole thing needs to be thrown away.
Some people go through their cabinets and pull items they have not used that are nearing the expiration date. Others donate money or go shopping and then donate.
