The holiday season is a great time to remember it’s time to donate to the foodbanks serving greater Cincinnati!

However, not everybody is benefitting. Anybody shopping for groceries can’t miss the ever-increasing prices for milk, eggs, bread, and other foods. According to the latest numbers, kids and families in the suburbs are experiencing the same issues traditionally found in inner-city areas.

Local food pantries are scrambling to keep up with demand and need donations of non-perishable food, money and/or volunteer time.  Most of the pantries are looking for:

• Peanut Butter
• Mac and Cheese
• Baby Formula
• Canned goods- vegies, fruits, meats/ poultry, and fish
• Personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste…)
• Recycled plastic grocery bags used to redistribute stuff.

Other places looking for a helping hand include local schools and community/religious groups who are tapping into different segments of the population to supplement government programs – keeping school-age kids from going hungry on the weekends and helping families with immediate health and financial needs.  Local businesses contribute goods and supplies (like plastic grocery bags) but cannot keep up with the demand.

Remember no donation of food, money or time is too small.

Many of the people living around you may be in need and by supporting the community-based services- you keep your neighbors and neighborhoods strong – because you never know when you might need a helping hand.

Resources:  Reach Out Lakota, Fairfield Food Pantry, Shared Harvest Foodbank, Freestore Foodbank, Butler County, Clermont County, Hamilton County, Warren County Matthew 25 Ministries

Also, check with local churches, synagogues, temples and mosques-many operate community programs to help area residents.