In nearly every community, including small towns like Laingsburg, there are neighbors who struggle to put enough food on the table. A job loss, a medical bill, a car repair or rising grocery prices can stretch a household budget past its limit. Local food banks and pantries step into that gap, and they depend on the generosity of people like you.
Laingsburg United Methodist Church is proud to host the Laingsburg Area Food Bank in our building. Through that partnership, we've seen how much difference everyday generosity can make. This guide shares practical ways to help your local food bank, whether you have a few dollars, a few hours or a whole community group ready to pitch in.
Why Food Banks Matter
Food insecurity is often invisible. The family behind you in the checkout line, the retired neighbor down the street or the coworker who always seems tired may be quietly skipping meals so their children can eat. Food banks offer help with dignity, providing groceries without judgment so families can get through a hard season.
For Christians, caring for hungry neighbors is a direct response to Jesus' teaching: "I was hungry and you gave me food to eat" (Matthew 25:35, CEB). Feeding people is one of the most basic, and most holy, ways to love our neighbors.
1. Donate Money
It might feel more personal to drop off a bag of groceries, but financial gifts are often the most flexible and effective way to help. Food banks can frequently buy food in bulk or through partner networks at lower prices than shoppers pay at the store. Money also allows them to purchase exactly what is needed, including fresh produce, dairy and protein that are hard to collect through food drives, and to cover essential costs like refrigeration, utilities and transportation.
Many food banks accept online gifts. The Laingsburg Area Food Bank, for example, accepts donations through PayPal and by check, as explained on our Food Bank page. Monthly recurring gifts are especially helpful because they allow organizers to plan ahead.
2. Donate the Right Food
Food donations are still welcome and important. To make your gift go further, focus on nutritious, shelf-stable items that can be turned into complete meals:
- Protein: canned tuna, chicken or salmon; peanut butter; canned or dried beans
- Grains: pasta, rice, oatmeal, whole-grain cereal, crackers
- Fruits and vegetables: canned fruit in juice, low-sodium canned vegetables, applesauce
- Meal helpers: pasta sauce, soup, stew, boxed macaroni and cheese
- Kid-friendly items: granola bars, juice boxes, shelf-stable milk
What to avoid
- Expired or damaged items (check dates and avoid dented or bulging cans)
- Glass jars, which can break in transit, when alternatives are available
- Homemade foods, which most food banks cannot accept for safety reasons
- Opened packages
When in doubt, call or message your food bank and ask what they need most this month. Needs change with the seasons.
3. Don't Forget Personal Care Items
One of the most overlooked ways to help is donating non-food essentials. Food assistance benefits generally cannot be used to purchase hygiene products, so these items are always in demand:
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss
- Soap, shampoo and deodorant
- Feminine hygiene products
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Toilet paper and laundry detergent
At Laingsburg UMC, non-perishable food and personal care items can be dropped off at the church during office hours, Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
4. Volunteer Your Time
Food banks run on volunteers. Depending on the organization, volunteers might:
- Sort and check donated food
- Stock shelves and organize storage
- Greet clients and help them shop
- Pack boxes for families or seniors
- Pick up donations from stores and farms
- Help with data entry, fundraising or social media
Volunteering is also a wonderful family or group activity. Older children and teens can learn compassion firsthand, and many youth groups, including The CORE, include service projects in their year. If you're interested in volunteering with the Laingsburg Area Food Bank, reach out through its Facebook page or send our church a message through the contact page.
5. Host a Food Drive
A food drive can mobilize your workplace, school, club or neighborhood. A few tips for success:
- Coordinate first. Contact the food bank to ask what they need and how to deliver donations.
- Pick a theme. "Breakfast Week," "Peanut Butter Drive" or "Hygiene Kits" can make collection fun and focused.
- Set a goal and share progress to keep people motivated.
- Make giving easy with clearly labeled bins and an online giving option for those who prefer to give money.
- Say thank you. Share the results so participants know their impact.
6. Give Beyond the Holidays
Food banks often receive a wave of generosity around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but hunger doesn't take a holiday. Summer can be especially difficult for families whose children receive school meals during the year. Consider setting a reminder to give in spring and summer, too.
7. Treat Every Client With Dignity
Perhaps the most important way to help is with your attitude. Anyone can need a food bank. Speak about clients with respect, avoid assumptions, and remember that asking for help takes courage. A warm welcome can matter as much as the groceries themselves.
8. Support Related Efforts
Food banks are one part of a larger web of care. In Laingsburg, Money 4 Meals lets you pay ahead for a meal at a participating local restaurant so a neighbor in need can eat out with dignity. Our congregation has also assembled rice meal kits with Midwest Mission to help feed people beyond our community; details are on our Ministries page. You can explore more ways to serve on our Service page.
Conclusion
Helping your local food bank doesn't require a lot of money or free time. A monthly gift, a bag of the right groceries, a box of toothpaste or a few hours of volunteering all make a real difference to families in your community. If you live in or near Laingsburg, we invite you to support the Laingsburg Area Food Bank, open Mondays from 1–3 pm and Thursdays from 5–7 pm at Laingsburg United Methodist Church. Together, we can make sure no neighbor goes hungry.