12 Healthy Foods to Donate to a Food Pantry

When you donate food to Metro CareRing you make a direct impact on eradicating hunger in Denver. Whether it is a can of fruit from your pantry or vegetables from your garden, your donation is gladly accepted and distributed to people struggling to find their next meal. Your contributions help replenish our shelves after the busiest year in Metro CareRing’s 38-year history! 

Fruits and Vegetables

Choose canned or dry fruits and vegetables in an array of colors to ensure consumption of a variety of vitamins and minerals. If possible, provide fresh and frozen varieties as well. When considering these items look for “no salt added”, low-sodium, “no sugar added”, and 100% juice varieties.

• Canned fruits             
• Canned vegetables
• Tomato sauce

Grain Group

Choose non-perishable whole grains as often as you can for maximum nutritional value. Look for 100% whole grain on the label or the first ingredient on the ingredient list.

• Oatmeal
• Brown rice                 
• Whole grain pasta

Protein Group

Choose canned lean meats and beans as a good source of low-fat protein. Beans are also a good source of fiber. When providing these items look for “no salt added”, low-sodium, and canned in water varieties. 

• Canned tuna
• Canned chicken
• Peanut butter

Dairy Group

Choose shelf-stable low-fat or non-fat dairy products fortified with vitamin D.

• Low fat plain yogurt
• Low fat cheese (if possible)
• Boxed shelf-stable milk

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 If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, 

then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.  

Isaiah 58:10

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