Food of the Months – October & November
This year, again, we will be packing Emergency Bags for the Hopelink Food Bank. So, during the months of October and November, we will be collecting the food items to go in the Emergency Bags. Hopelink has asked that we pack “No-Cook” bags as we did last year. They need these to support those with no access to cooking facilities (homeless).
The items in these bags need to be able to be eaten directly without being heated or the use of a can opener. These need to be things that can be eaten cold and plain.
**All canned items must have a pop-top lid. Only soups and meals are in cans.
**PAY ATTENTION TO SIZES. Keeping the weight down is important for homeless. Bigger sizes can’t be used.
**MAKE SURE TO CHECK EXPIRATION DATES. They need to be on or after February 2026.
There are seven different items that go in each “No-Cook” Emergency Bag. We will be collecting these items during October and November:
Here are the seven items we will be collecting:
1 - Peanut Butter – (~16 oz. plastic jar – no-stir)
1 – Applesauce or Fruit Cups Package – (packages of 4 or 6 cups (about 4 ounce cups), kept in original packaging so that it contains the label, ex: peaches, pears, fruit cocktail, applesauce)
2 – Pouched Meat or Jerky – (beef jerky or meat sticks (like slim Jims) , pouched meat like tuna, chicken, salmon (Starkist is a common brand) Common sizes for both are about 2.5 - 3 ounces.)
2 – Canned Meals/Soups – (ex: ~15-20 oz, ex: chili, beef stew, canned ravioli, hearty Progresso soups (such as: beef pot roast, chicken pot pie, Italian Wedding, etc. – Pop-Top lid)
6 - Granola Bars – (look for ones that are at least 150 – 200 calories each – total at least 1,000 calories)
5 - Snack Items (high in calories & will not crush easily. Ex: dried fruit, nuts, trail mix. Individual packages – look for ones that are at least 100 – 150 calories each - total at least 500 calories)
2 - Shelf-Stable Drinks – (Something that does not require refrigeration and will not puncture easily. Ex: juice boxes, water, protein shakes.)
Here is the progress chart as of October 26th. Check here to see what is needed to pack the most emergency bags: Note the most needed items this week are Peanut Butter,
Applesauce/Fruit Cups and Snack Items.
You can drop off at our "Corner of Blessings" !
With compassion we reach out to our community and world in ways that seek to meet the basic material and spiritual needs of God's people. We embrace the opportunity to share the abundant blessings of our congregation in ways that touch the lives of those in need and show Christ's love through us for his people.