When grocery shopping I like to buy an item for [Eesti Toidupank](https://www.toidupank.ee/). Hereto I have bought canned soup, thinking that people in need might not always have the health needed to process solids. Today it hit me, soup must certainly be one of the more common items they receive, and I am sure my funds could be put to better use.
Could anyone in the know please advise on:
* What items are commonly under-supplied to Toidupank?
* What items feed the most mouths in relation to their cost?
Thanks!
3 comments
Cooking oil, canned soups, canned meat are the best ones, I’ve been told.
All products that have a long shelf life and that require no refrigeration are good. Canned soup is a good example, the fact that many people donate canned soup is not a problem, it’s good. Having a long backlog of foods that last a long time allows Toidupank to buffer their support and plan ahead better. To put it into perspective consider whether you would rather A) get a delicious big meal one day and then nothing for a few days, or B) a moderate meal every day.
This concept is also covered on their homepage, albeit only in Estonian:
> Millist toitu toidupangale annetada?
>
> Annetusena on oodatud kaua säiliv ehk „parim enne“-tüüpi toidukaup, näiteks konservid, toiduõli, purgisupid, kuivained, hommikusöögihelbed, pudrumaterjal, samuti moosid, mahlad, pähklid, rosinad ja tervislikud maiustused.
as always with such charities – money
bulk for such organisations is almost always cheaper than one individual can buy on their own
they have a recommendation list on their site – sadly not english but translated is somewhat usable [https://www-toidupank-ee.translate.goog/anneta-ja-paasta-toitu/eraisikule/?_x_tr_sl=et&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp](https://www-toidupank-ee.translate.goog/anneta-ja-paasta-toitu/eraisikule/?_x_tr_sl=et&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)
but they have a [poster](https://www.toidupank.ee/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/A3-plakat_Toidukogumine-ENG.png)