Reaping the Fall Harvest

Grab a little extra for a friend you haven’t met. By Jocelyn Stott.

It’s the time of year when people start thinking about chili and cornbread, homemade apple pie, turkey and all the trimmings, caramel apples, popcorn balls and of course pumpkin spice flavored EVERYTHING.

As you stock your cupboards and even your freezer this fall, consider getting extra food for those less fortunate. When every day food acquisition and consumption is a challenge – both in quantity and quality – it’s hard to even consider preparing the seasonal treats that so many of us enjoy this time of year.

According to Cindy de Paulis of the Community Action Partnership in Coeur d’Alene, those who need food really need something nourishing, which can be more expensive. When considering what to donate, consider things that are filling, healthy and easy to prepare.

“We love to get things like macaroni, Ramen noodles and pasta, but we really find that people need some protein like they can get from tuna, peanut butter or even a protein bar,” said de Paulis.

One thing that some folks overlook is the donation of deer, elk, or moose venison from local hunters.

“As long as the meat has been professionally butchered and packaged from a business that specializes in such things, like say, Tim’s Custom Meats, we can accept it,” says de Paulis. “And people love it.”

According to The Idaho Foodbank (a state network), about 16 percent or one in six of Idaho’s residents, are food insecure – a large number of these include children. About 30 percent of that population has too high of an income to qualify for food assistance (food stamps), and they rely on charities like local food banks.

In addition to donating food that is nutritious, consider some of the challenges faced by low- income people when it comes to preparing the food. Packaged meals can be nice, but is there water, a pan and utensils to cook?

While canned food comes already prepared, many food banks say they give out a lot of can openers. Maybe throw a few inexpensive manual can openers into your shopping bag as well.

Sometimes it can be hard to imagine what life would look like if you didn’t know where your next meal would come from. It can be easy to take little things like can openers and a saucepan for granted. So, when you consider your local food bank this fall, don’t just clean the cupboards of your leftover canned beets - count your blessings and be a blessing this fall and beyond!

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