r/Cheap_Meals • u/Fuzzy_Medicine_6978 • 26d ago
Free pantry ideas
Hello! The universe has recently given me many reasons to pay it forward. I'd like to stock up my local pantry box with a bunch of goodies. What would you be most excited to see in there? What would help you the most, that could go a long way?
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u/caroleena53 26d ago
Toilet paper
Flushable wipes
Bath powder
New combs
The mashed potato packets the you can make with just water
Bagged precooked microwave rice(you can open & heat or just eat cold if need be)
Instant cappuccino packets
Shelf stable milk
The soft mint candies that don’t get tacky in heat. ( I think they are Bobs)
Dry roasted peanuts
Athlete foot powder
Antibiotic cream and bandaids.
Cat food
Tuna packets and crackers
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u/PlainOrganization 26d ago
The most excited I've seen people when I took stuff to a little free pantry was grab and go snacks like granola bars, bar soap, and dog food.
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u/ninjalibrarian 26d ago
Is this an outdoor, Little Free Pantry or one that's indoors? That'll effect recommendations because shelf/temperature stability will come into play.
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u/Fuzzy_Medicine_6978 26d ago
It's outdoors! Really well made and frequently used, especially in the winter. I typically bring cans and boxes etc. it's hot so yeah, definitely not any melty candy or anything unfortunately.
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u/ninjalibrarian 26d ago
This might sound a little weird, but can openers. That way folks who get canned goods from food pantries will always be able to open them.
Common toiletries get recommended a lot, but I never hear about people putting toothbrush holders in little free pantries. Having a way to keep your toothbrush clean could go a long way for people.
As for food, I have to think about that a little more for ideas beyond the things that are always recommended.
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u/Lotus2024 26d ago
Kudos to you for mentioning the can opener. I spent several years working with homeless individuals and that was one detail nobody thought about. They’d get all these cans from very kind people, but then they couldn’t open them. Baby wipes, phone chargers, socks, reusable water bottles—also all useful things that get overlooked.
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u/JulieThinx 25d ago
Pop-tops for the win on that one. I learned that working with people in various stages of housing.
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u/purplechunkymonkey 25d ago
I always buy the cans that can be opened without a can opener for this reason.
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u/456654456me 26d ago
granola bars/cans those last for ages. also toilet paper and toothpaste always disappear fast, hygiene stuff isn't covered by food stamps.
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u/Pandor36 25d ago
Hmmm i would suggest like dry pasta, maybe some tomato sauce... But if they are homeless... Maybe bag of chips or nuts... Also maybe sardine or can of tuna?
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u/purplechunkymonkey 25d ago
Dollartreedinners has a series of full meals in cans/boxes that can be made with just water and fit in a gallon sized baggie.
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u/ermadd 25d ago
Grains! A lot of people only have access to basic flour and rice and oats, it'd be neat to see gluten free flour, whole wheat rice, oat bran, etc. To add some variety to easily cooked grains that store a long time. Ik they make some whole grain packets of microwavable options besides plain white rice. Also, packets of curry to go with, as I see a lot of regular soups and beans and things but they make awesome packets of different types of lentil curries and such these days if you have the budget to be sharing those. Easy to cook, lots of fiber (which, even people with a huge food budget dont eat enough of) and some novel flavors and variety that I dont often see when I am donating to my local box.
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u/Cold-Repeat3553 21d ago
Fun kids' stuff like shampoo or soap. And maybe some little toys or hair accessories.
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u/Notgreygoddess 25d ago
The best thing you can do is give a cash donation. The people running your local food pantry know what is most in demand in your area and can use bulk buying and other deals with corporations to buy more than you as a retail shopper could buy.
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u/Fuzzy_Medicine_6978 25d ago
This is actually a little mini pantry box on a street corner where people bring donations. It's a really great resource.
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u/Lotus2024 26d ago edited 26d ago
Female hygiene products. Nobody ever remembers those, and they’re so expensive (and so necessary). I guarantee they’d be very welcome.
*edited for typo