KUSA - The 9Cares Colorado Shares drive is coming up.
Food Bank of the Rockies and ARCThrift will be helping with the distribution of donations. Donations for nonperishable items as well as toiletries and clothing and are needed.
Here are some tips on what to look for as you head to the store to pick up items to donate:
- Non-perishables, or foods that can stay on a shelf or in the pantry without going bad
- Canned foods and pasta sauces
- Items that are low in salt (sodium) since many items that are canned or bottled can have up to a day’s worth of sodium in just one can. We recommend less than 1500 mg of salt a day, so keep that in mind when you are looking for foods.
- Foods that are whole grain (like pasta, quinoa, brown rice) and high in fiber (like rolled oats).
- Low sugar options for hot and cold cereals, canned fruit (not canned in syrup) and dried fruits
- High protein items like canned chicken and tuna (canned in water, not oil), nuts, seeds, dry and canned beans, and peanut and other nut butters.
Why are your donations so important?
One in eight children in Colorado is hungry, according to Hunger Free Colorado.
Now that school is out, many children who qualify for free and reduced breakfast and lunch may not have access to these meals.
We know that eating a healthy, varied diet is important to people’s wellness and staving off conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and maintaining a healthy weight. Eating healthy foods can be very expensive, and so many families and individuals rely on food banks.
Other items to donate
- Monetary donations
- Baby items are always very expensive. You can also donate diapers, baby formula fortified with iron and wipes
- Toiletries (like shampoo, conditioner, soaps, toothbrushes and toothpaste)
- Clothes
Visit 9Cares Colorado Shares for more info on drop off sites. They drive runs June 9 from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. throughout Colorado.
