Every year, millions of children and family members go starving during the Thanksgiving holiday. However, here at Primary Beginnings, we believe that everyone should have access to a meal during the holidays.
Starting November 20 through December 8, 2017, Primary Beginnings’ two locations will be collecting can foods to give to the Salvation Army food bank this holiday season.
What Canned Items can I donate?
When donating food, it is important to know which kinds of canned food is accepted and needed most. Here are five items Primary Beginnings recommends donating:
100% Juice
Canned juice is a great source of vitamins, which is important, especially for children. Canned juice can come in two forms: concentrated and non-concentrated.
Holiday Foods
As the holiday season is upon us, there is a need for holiday foods including green beans, cranberry sauce, gravy, and more to help those in need have a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.
Low Sodium Foods
In a world of heart disease and high blood pressure, canned foods are notorious for having a higher than recommended sodium level. So, to combat those statistics, we are recommending purchasing lower sodium canned foods to donate.
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are an important part of any diet because they are a great source of vitamins. A few suggestions are canned nuts, peaches, green beans, or tomatoes.
Canned Meats
Canned meats are a great source of proteins for individuals. Therefore, we recommend giving canned tuna in water, canned chicken, or any other protein with an extended expiration date. Additionally, canned chicken, beef, or vegetable stock is a great resource to offer a canned food drive.
Canned Soups
Soups are a great meal to keep anyone warm during the cold months or during a seasonal cold. Adding canned soups to any drive can help keep those in need to be happy and healthy for several months.
Can I Donate Expired Canned Goods?
Though any canned items are welcomed, Primary Beginnings in Raleigh recommends donating items that will be good have for at least six months before expiration. This is to ensure that the items can be used for a longer period of time, as well as, food is not wasted.
How Do I check the Expiration Date?
On every American canned good, the food and drug administration regulations require canned goods to have a “sell by” or expiration date to let consumers know when a food is still good to eat. These dates are usually imprinted on the top, bottom, or sides of the can. Therefore, it is a good practice to check expiration dates prior to purchasing any canned goods for a food drive.
How do I Contribute to Can Food Drive in Raleigh?
Starting November 20th, you can start bringing canned foods to contribute to Primary Beginnings’ canned food drive. For more information about the drive or Primary Beginnings, call our Spring Forest location at 919.790.6888 or North Hills location 919.785.0303
