Did you know that 1 out of 3 Minnesotans reported some level of food insecurity? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CCEFS saw an increase in need that continues to persist.
You can join the fight to eliminate hunger in your community by donating groceries and personal care items to CCEFS.
What We Need Most
CCEFS strives to provide our customers with a variety of nutritious food in order to help support a balanced diet. Beyond food, we also provide household and cleaning supplies, diapers, wipes, and pet food. CCEFS strives to relieve some of the pressures that come with being food insecure.
Below is a list of items that are not always available from food banks and are our current most needed items:
- Fruits and Veggies: fresh from the garden produce, canned pineapple and mandarin orange, fruit cups and single serve applesauce, and low sodium/low sugar canned fruits and veggies
- Grains: oatmeal–packets and large containers, and pastas like penne, rigatoni
- Cooking: spices–Turmeric, nutmeg, vanilla, etc., olive oil, coconut oil, cooking oil, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, salad dressing–French, Western, Caesar, etc., hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, boxed milks–shelf stable milk, milk alternatives, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk
- Misc. Food: coffee, tea, soups like Progresso and Chunky Campbells (Hearty pop-top style soups), alfredo sauce, and microwaveable meals–soups, ravioli, chili, lentils
- Personal Care: Baby diapers (Newborn-Size 6), Pull-Ups (2T-5T), adult diapers, incontinence pads, baby wipes, tampons, hair conditioner, and toothpaste
- Household Items: plastic cups, aluminum foil, Ziplocks and other resealable bags, plastic wrap/Saran wrap, kitchen trash bags, dishwasher detergent, and napkins
- Misc. Other: dog and cat treats, cat litter, and paper bags from grocery stores (not lunch bags)
Here is a pdf of our list: Most Needed Donations
What We Cannot Accept
While CCEFS appreciates the willingness to donate items, there are just some things we cannot accept, including:
- Refrigerated or frozen items – we cannot accept these due to food safety regulations
- Open containers of food – unless food is individually wrapped and labeled
- Bread
- Expired foods
- Feeding tube supplies
When can I donate food?
You can find our donation hours here.
To donate food and other items, please drive around to the back of our building and ring the doorbell.
Please do not leave bags or boxes of food outside our door – the squirrels might get to them before we do.
Directions to CCEFS can be found here.
If you have any questions about donations, contact donate@ccefs.org or call 651-233-1296.