Let’s make this week less spooky for children! No matter how you feel about their parents’ work ethic, choices, or government subsidy programs, there are children who are hungry and about to be hungrier. This is not their fault.
Instead of leaving our most vulnerable in the frightening position of wondering whether there will be food to eat, we can choose to make their lives less scary. When a child comes to your door this week (if you have the funds available) consider one small action to make their next week better. Provide nutritious food along with treats.
You don’t have to break the bank or do anything heroic. Do whatever feels comfortable. Think of it as a community potluck. If we each add a nutritious offering to our candy bowl, we cumulatively provide a meal.
If your budget is tight, you may still have options: check the laundry change jar (or swear jar if that’s more lucrative); skip a meal out; or take the opportunity to clean out the pantry. This is also a great time to utilize discounts for purchasing in bulk.
Here are a few ideas for items to consider including: (Peanuts are a common allergen.)
- Beef jerky or other meat sticks
- Tuna pouches
- Vienna sausages
- Sardines
- Snack size packages of nuts
- Individual peanut, almond, or cashew butter
- Peanut butter crackers
- Cheese crackers
- Instant oatmeal
- Instant grits
- Individual cartons of shelf stable milk
- Individual mac & cheese
- Ramen noodles
- Individual cereal
- Protein bars
- Freeze dried vegetable snacks
- Boxes of raisins or craisins
- Applesauce pouches
- Veggie and fruit pouches
- Baby food jars or pouches
- Microwave popcorn (the bulk helps fill a hungry belly)
- Individual microwave rice
If you have survival food that needs to be rotated, you may want to consider a brown bag station that offers family meals containing items like beef, beans, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, instant eggs, and powdered milk. Include those ketchup, mustard, mayo, soy sauce, and cheese packets you’ve saved from takeout meals.
You can make meal/supply bags using canned options as well – soup, chili, vegetables, chicken, and tuna. A real treat for families could include high quality instant coffee and flavored creamers plus packages of hot chocolate and pudding cups.
Funds don’t just go to pay for food, so providing other necessities can help increase household budgets. If you’re like me, you may have extra toothbrushes, travel toothpaste, travel shampoo, travel lotion, travel detergent, and fancy soaps in the cabinets you’ll never use. Why not have a toiletries treat bucket or make toiletries grab bags?
Other things you can include in a family supply bag are paper plates, napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, hand wipes, baby wipes, band-aids, hand soap, bubble bath, sandwich bags, and trash bags.
And don’t forget fun items like crayons, markers, colored pencils, notebooks, sketch books, glue, and glitter are treats that may not be purchased when money is tight. Having tools to express creativity can improve a child’s day when the rest of life feels uncertain.
This week may be ghoulish, but it can be less spooky. Support families in your neighborhood with treats that show you care!