"And Everywhere She Went, Kate Drew A Crowd"

gotta be the equivalent to this

How do you make a meal for five people out of some onions, a half a bag of apples, and a sack of carrots?

Just off the top of my head, shelf-stable stuff that my household could ALWAYS use, but that nobody ever thinks to add to boxes:

Bread

Tuna

Canned peas

Saltine crackers

Tomato sauce

Canned tomatoes

Ramen noodles

Canned pasta (ravioli, spaghetti)

Canned soup

Jelly

Pancake mix

Sugar

Coffee

Creamer

Flour

Granola bars

Honey

Cereal

Grits

Oatmeaal

This list is 100% based on me and my household. Other people find other things more useful. That’s why it’s so, so much easier to just donate cash, either to the food bank or to the individual, because it’s easier for them to get what they actually need.

Find out allergies and preferences. No point in giving someone food if they can't eat it.

Find out how many people they need to feed. That way perishables don't perish and people don't get underfed.

Think of things as complete meals. How many meals can you give them? Is there a protein, a carb, and a vegetable? Can they cook them? Is it possible to include "easy meals" as well, things that don't need prep work? Do you have oil and spices in your box too if they don't have them?

I try to include something sweet or some kind of treat with the food box. Life is stressful enough when you're in a place where you need food aid to get by and a little treat can make it easier.

If you're not doing a mass distribution, you can and should tailor your food aid to the individual you're helping.

Cash. Cash cash cash cash cash cash cash. If at all possible I give people cash. It buys tampons and toilet paper and diapers and deodorant and shampoo, and you get the picture. There's way more consumables people need than just food. Help with cash too if you can.

me: wow. i feel so goo–

depression: Time’s Up Bitch.

Like imagine if someone made a show that went REALLY far out of its way to have lots of representation and pitched itself as having lots of representation and everyone clamoring for more diverse media got really invested in it and then the show sucked ass. Like can you imagine what a NIGHTMARE that would be? Can you imagine the discourse? The bitterness? The down-badness of it all?