Home Delivery - Gluten Free Food Pantry Box

 This is my first blog since February- FEBRUARY! Not like me but things happen, life happened and I am happy to report that I have some exciting news to jump back into my blog articles with.

A few years back, I came across a nonprofit Mend Hunger and I immediately knew I that I needed to help. In the beginning, Mend Hunger was leading a mission to ensure that gluten free foods were available at their local food banks. That, in itself, is amazing. They fed many but still found some hiccups along the way and, like many of us, were faced with new challenges when COVID came about. Did that stop them from helping the community? No. Not only did it NOT stop them, they created an even better option that was both COVID friendly and took away one of the most difficult hurdles that are faced when those with food allergies go to a food pantry. They began a Pantry Direct program to send the gluten free foods directly to the homes of those who need them. 

This program brings the meaning of "food pantry box" to a whole new level. Let's talk about Mend Hunger's Pantry Direct program and let's share it far and wide to help more of those who are in need and to get donations to continue to help.

Why Pantry Direct? Food pantries are typically not able to organize their safe foods for those who have food allergies which minimizes the variety of foods that someone who is gluten free and/or has food allergies may need to have food for the week. Often, whatever the food pantry has is what you are given, whether you can eat it or not. This causes an additional problem as well- those who can use that food are not getting it and those who cannot use it are wasting food and are short on much needed food items. 

How Pantry Direct Works Mend Hunger removed the need to travel to a food pantry. All Pantry Direct boxes are shipped directly to the home of those who are in need of gluten free food items. This saves time, energy, travel expenses and even anxiety of not being able to get what is needed. There are no lines to wait in, there are no foods that go unused- just a home delivery and (hopefully) a smile in the homes of those who are receiving the box. 

Request Food Mend Hunger has an easy, online option to request a box of gluten free food. Simply complete the form. Please note that while Mend Hunger is doing an amazing job there is still a waiting list. Please be patient and feel free to refer certified gluten free products to Mend Hunger to see how they can help out.

Donate Mend Hunger accepts donations and is grateful for referrals to continue to increase awareness of their mission. You can:

• Donate online here
• Donate a monetary gift
• Donate gluten free products for their boxes
• Contact me Tracy Bush Account Manager at tracy@mendhunger.org for more details
• Reach out to Mend Hunger to discuss other donation options 
  

Because, what if YOU were a parent that could not feed your child and the choice was foods that your child is allergic to or nothing at all....

Thank you to the folks at Mend Hunger for not giving up, for continuing to help our community and for making their mission something that is possible.