With the holidays coming up, most people are beginning to donate to local food pantries. Those in need are blessed to have a nice family dinner for the holidays. Food pantries always look for non-perishable items such as cranberry sauce, gravy, canned vegetables, instant mashed potatoes, or canned soups during their busiest time of the year. But why do we only donate food when it gets close to the holidays? This is not taking away the good deed done when you donate around this time of year, but more so explaining the importance of donating year-round. Food pantries need to stay open to help those in need. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 6.7 percent of all U.S. households reported using a food pantry in 2020. That is about 8 million people, and each year that number increases. That is why we should donate food when, and if, we can. 

Food pantries are a necessity for those struggling financially. They are the reason those people get to eat. Christmas and Thanksgiving are their busiest time of year for donations and people shopping for food. Seeing so many people donating to those who have less is heartwarming. Everybody deserves to sit and eat a nice dinner at what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. You are still a good person if you have specifically donated during the holidays. However, the food pantries are in need of donations all year because people don’t stop needing food when the holidays are over. They desperately need more people to donate when it is not the holiday season. That is when most donors stop giving because they think other people will continue to contribute. The more food donated, the less ultimately goes to waste in landfills. You can always donate money or toiletries if you can’t donate food.

Food pantries in West Milford are particularly struggling. Our Lady Queen of Peace and St. Joseph’s food pantries are in dire need of donations. Our Lady Queen of Peace is on Union Valley Road in Hewitt. St. Joseph is located on Germantown Road in West Milford. Both services have been around for years and should continue to stay around. According to St. Joseph’s website, their food pantry mainly needs jelly, soup, tuna, fish, mayonnaise, coffee, tea, crackers, laundry detergent, and toothpaste. Not only do these food pantries need donations, they are searching for members to help. Both welcome volunteers of all ages to give a helping hand. If you want to donate or volunteer, reach out to your local food pantry or check our their website. 

Food is a basic human need that everyone should have access to. Unfortunately, food pantries globally are struggling. They thrive during the holiday season, but throughout the rest of the year, they are in desperate need of donations. We should all be donating food year-round. If you have some extra food in your pantry, donate it to your local food pantry. Somebody will appreciate your generosity.