11/09/2025
✅ What Burlington Township Food Pantry really needs
While individual Food Pantries needs vary, the following items are reliably helpful:
• Peanut butter & jelly
• Canned tuna, salmon, other canned meats
• Canned beans and vegetables (e.g., corn, tomatoes)
• Pop-top soups and stews (easy to open)
• Packs of pasta and rice
• Breakfast cereal and oatmeal
• Pantry staples like flour, sugar, salt, garlic powder, etc.
• Coffee and tea
• Paper products (e.g., napkins, toilet paper)
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❌ Items Food Pantries shouldn’t accept
1. Expired food – Don’t donate baby food or formula past its expiry, and even for shelf-stable items check the “best by” or “use by” date; food banks often won’t accept items well past those dates. 
2. Dented cans and damaged packages – Cans with dents (especially on seams) or torn/open packaging may be unsafe or spoil more easily, so many Food Pantries refuse them. 
3. Refrigerated food – Items that require refrigeration pose logistical issues (many food banks don’t have enough cold-storage capacity) and are therefore less preferred. 
4. Fresh produce – While some welcome produce, this often comes from established partnerships (e.g., with farmers/grocers) and is less reliably accepted from general donors because of spoilage and storage issues. 
5. Glass jars – Glass is more likely to break in storage or transit, so many Food Pantries prefer donations in cans or plastic containers/packets. 
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📝 Bottom line
When donating to a Food Pantries, focus on non-perishable, shelf-stable, safely packaged items in containers unlikely to break. Avoid items that are old, damaged, need refrigeration, or are hard to distribute. It’s always a good idea to check with your local food bank about their specific policies and current greatest needs.
Burlington Township Food Pantry, welcomes food donations, but financial contributions have an even greater impact. With monetary support, we can purchase exactly what our community needs most, stretch resources further, and buy in bulk at lower cost. If you are able, please consider a financial donation, it helps us serve more families, more effectively.
