Where to donate non-perishable unopened Thanksgiving leftovers

Each week, Meredith Moss profiles a non-profit organization in our community in need of special items. If your group has a wish list for our readers, please contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com

Please leave a daytime phone number.

Your Thanksgiving leftovers can help feed those who are hungry. According to the folks at The Foodbank, that’s one in five individuals, over 130,000 people in our community.

“With the holiday season upon us, The Foodbank reflects warmly on the support we receive from the community,” says the organization’s CEO Michelle L. Riley. “Every can and every dollar makes such a difference as we work together to solve hunger in the Miami Valley.”

The Foodbank and its network of nearly 100 nonprofit member agency food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters work each day to provide food to our community’s neediest. Over six million meals are placed on the tables of hungry seniors, adults, and children in the Miami Valley each year.

Among the non-perishable Thanksgiving items that could be donated are your unopened cans of cranberry sauce, green beans, boxes of stuffing, canned sweet potatoes. If you still have a turkey in the freezer that can also be shared.

In addition to those items, here are the most needed items year-round:

Note that The Foodbank is closed today and tomorrow. After that you can donate nonperishable from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 56 Armor Place, Dayton 45417

Other ways to help: You can support The Foodbank's wholesale food purchase program through Valley Food Relief by donating at www.thefoodbankdayton.org/donate. Every $1 given will provide four meals for a family in need.

You can also give of your time and talents. Volunteers are welcome from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. If you or your group would like to sign up, email info@thefoodbankdayton.org