Introduction
Albany County has the highest food insecurity rate in Wyoming. More than 6,000 of our neighbors don't have reliable access to nutritious food, and that's exactly why food drives, donation runs, and pantry contributions matter so much.
At Laramie Interfaith, we are lucky to have a community that shows up. Whether it's a classroom collection, a workplace drive, a scout troop project, or one person dropping off a few bags of groceries, every donation helps stock our shelves and keep our pantry open to anyone who needs it.
But not every donation lands the same way. A little planning makes a big difference in what we can actually put into families' hands. Here's a simple guide to donating the right way.
Why Food Drives Matter
Food drives do more than fill pantry shelves. They:
- Bring in items we might not be able to purchase through our food bank partnerships
- Raise awareness about hunger right here in our own community
- Connect classrooms, churches, and workplaces to a shared cause
- Give people a tangible, hands-on way to help their neighbors
When done thoughtfully, a food drive becomes a partnership; your effort plus our pantry equals real meals on real tables.
The Dos
- Do donate non-perishable, shelf-stable items. Canned goods, dry pasta, rice, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, and shelf-stable milk are pantry workhorses. They store well, travel well, and feed families for weeks.
- Do check expiration dates. A quick glance at the label before you pack a box saves us from sorting out items we can't safely give away. If it's expired or expiring within the next few weeks, please leave it out.
- Do keep packaging unopened and intact. Cans should be free of dents, rust, or bulges. Boxes and bags should be sealed. If you wouldn't grab it off the grocery store shelf, it probably shouldn't go into a donation bin.
- Do think beyond the can. Hygiene items, diapers, and pet food are some of the most-requested and least-donated items in any pantry. Toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, and dog and cat food Do reach out before a big drive. If your group is planning a large collection, give us a call first. We can let you know what's running low, what we're overstocked on, and how to time your drop-off so we have space and hands to receive it.
- Do drop off during business hours. This keeps donations safe, accounted for, and out of the weather.
The Don'ts
- Don't donate expired food. This is the single most common issue we see. Even if it "looks fine," we're not able to distribute food past its expiration date.
- Don't donate opened or partially used items. A half-full jar of peanut butter or an opened cereal box can't be safely passed along, no matter how clean it looks.
- Don't donate homemade food. We love that people want to share what they make, but for food safety reasons, our pantry can only distribute items in their original, sealed, commercial packaging.
- Don't donate items that need refrigeration unless you've coordinated with us. Without the right cold storage on hand, perishable donations can go to waste, the opposite of what anyone wants.
- Don't pack canned goods into one giant box. A large box stuffed full of cans gets dangerously heavy fast, heavy enough that the bottom will give out the moment someone tries to lift it. Use several smaller, sturdy boxes or bins instead. Your back, our volunteers' backs, and the cans themselves will thank you.
- Don't leave donations outside our doors after hours. Food left on the sidewalk or porch can be damaged by weather, animals, or temperature swings, which means it ends up in the trash instead of on a shelf.
- Don't use a food drive to clean out the pantry. A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn't serve it to your own family this week, please don't donate it. Our neighbors deserve food that's safe, current, and dignified.
- Don't forget the small stuff. Cooking oil, spices, condiments, and baking basics often get overlooked, but they're what turn a box of pantry items into an actual meal.
Most-Needed Items
Need is constantly shifting, but these are almost always welcome:
- Canned proteins (tuna, chicken, beans)
- Peanut butter
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Rice and other grains
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Shelf-stable milk
- Cooking oil
- Hygiene products
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Pet food
If you're ever unsure, a quick call to Interfaith is the best way to find out what's most needed at this moment.
How to Drop Off Donations
You can bring food and hygiene donations to Laramie Interfaith at 712 Canby Street during our regular business hours:
- Monday and Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
If you'd prefer to give a monetary donation, you can do that online through our website or by mail.
Final Thoughts
Donating well is one of the simplest ways to ensure your generosity reaches the people it's meant for. A little thought on the front end — checking dates, choosing the right items, dropping off at the right time- turns good intentions into real, usable help.
If you're planning a food drive and want to make sure it's set up for success, reach out to Laramie Interfaith at 307-742-4240 or email info@laramieinterfaith.org. We'd love to help you make it count.
Because at the end of the day, this is what we've always been about: neighbors helping neighbors.
