Photo: Tabitha Kaylee Hawk (CC)

Cullman was one of the Alabama town hit by tornadoes this week.
Donate food to help the survivors and volunteers.

By Jen Barnett

Dozens of businesses, churches and community organizations are collecting food and water for survivors of the April 27 tornadoes as well as volunteers and rescue personnel. These donations will help people around Birmingham, as well as Tuscaloosa, Cullman and other affected areas across Alabama.

Most are calling for non-perishable foods, and when you are in need, any donation is a bounty. Still, we know how drained our bodies can feel after subsisting too long on cold, canned green beans and Vienna sausages, so we wanted to present a few healthier options. Non-perishable doesn’t have to mean unpalatable.

We present 25 ideas for non-perishable items that will provide high-quality proteins, good carbs and healthy fats — plus offer a little variety to the scores of canned peaches coming their way. Restore them body and soul with these delicious choices:

1. Canned or pouched tuna
2. Canned salmon
3. Canned chicken
4. Canned black beans
5. Canned chickpeas or lentils
6. Amy’s Kitchen soups and cookies
7. Salsa (whole grain chips optional)
8. Smart Balance or natural peanut butter
9. Jarred spaghetti sauce (and pasta)
10. Kashi cereals and snack bars
11. Nuts and nut mixes
12. Dark chocolate
13. Shelf-stable milk
14. Oatmeal and grits
15. Microwave popcorn
16. Shelf-stable gnocchi
17. Herbs, spices and spice blends
18. Canola, olive, flax seed (linseed) or peanut oil
19. Lundberg’s Rice Chips and Chip’ins Popcorn Chips
20. Minute white rice
21. Raisins and other dried fruit
22. Olive oil, mayonnaise and other condiments
23. Wheat crackers
24. Green or black olives
25. Freshly ground local coffee

Dropoff locations:

• Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., downtown
• Christian Service Mission, 3600 Third Ave. S., Avondale
• Church of the Highlands: multiple locations, including Hueytown, Irondale and Tuscaloosa
• Crestwood Tavern, 5500 Crestwood Blvd.
• Greater Birmingham Ministries, 2304 12th Ave. N., Druid Hills
• Walmart: Wildwood, Hoover, Pelham
• Whole Foods Market, 3100 Cahaba Village Plaza, Mountain Brook
• Buffalo Wild Wings, 2772 John Hawkins Pkwy., Hoover
• Christ the King Lutheran Church, 611 Riverchase Pkwy. W., Hoover
• Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 4600 Preserve Pkwy. Hoover
• Riverchase United Methodist Church, 1953 Old Montgomery Highway, Hoover
• Oak Mountain Community Church, 3135 Oak Mountain State Park Road, Pelham
• Master’s House Ministries, 135 Corporate Way, Pelham
• Birmingham Red Cross, 114 22nd St. S., Southside
• Piggly Wiggly, 27 Park Road, Pleasant Grove
• Tower of Prayer Church, 8429 First Ave., Leeds
• Sears, Riverchase Galleria, Hoover
• First Baptist Church Trussville, 128 Chalkville Road N.
• RealtySouth, 428 Main St., Trussville
• Massey, Stotser and Nichols, 1780 Gadsden Highway, Trussville
• Mark’s Outdoor Sports, 1400-B, Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills
• Winn Dixie, 2220 Bessemer Road, Five Points West
• The Birmingham News, 2201 Fourth Ave. N., downtown
• First Christian Church, 4954 Valleydale Road, Meadowbrook, North Shelby County

Or donate money to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.

Also:

• Find more ways to help Alabama’s tornado survivors in our guide.

• More Jen Barnett at SpryLab

• MCers: If we left out an idea for a healthier nonperishable food, or a dropoff location, please leave a comment.

 Print This Post

 Email This Post