“Thanksgiving Donation Food Basket”

The holidays are upon us once again, and what better way to ring them in, than to help the needy. If you would like to make a contribution to society and help the less fortunate, here are some helpful tips for anyone interested in preparing a holiday food basket.

Find local donation centers in your area by looking in the phone book under food pantries and/or access places using the internet. For example, under keyword, you may type in food pantries or donation centers in Staten Island. Local churches, Salvation Armies, the Red Cross and Project Hospitality can be utilized for their food pantries.

Contact the donation center and ask what types of food they accept for donation and also find out addresses and hours of operation. Some may prefer non-perishable items only, such as canned vegetables. This is based on when the basket will be delivered. You may be told to bring your basket in on Thanksgiving Eve, and in that instance you could supply a fresh or frozen turkey. Otherwise, a gift certificate for a turkey at a local supermarket is most practical.

Put your basket together based on holiday traditions, time constraints and effort level. For example, include stuffing, cranberry sauce and apple cider in a Thanksgiving theme basket because these items will not perish and are easy to prepare for anyone.

A food basket donation will be appreciated at any time of year, but during the holidays probably most of all. So, if you would like to give back to your local community, donating food to the needy is generous for others and very fulfilling for you.