Did you know that 1 out of 12 Minnesotans reported some level of food insecurity? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Open Cupboard saw an increase in need that continues to persist.
You can join the fight to feed your community by donating groceries and personal care items to Open Cupboard.
What We Need Most
Open Cupboard 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. Open Cupboard 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, and low sodium/low sugar canned fruits and veggies
- Grains: oatmeal–packets and large containers, gluten free items, and pasta like penne, rigatoni
- Cooking: spices, olive oil, coconut oil, cooking oil, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, salad dressing, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, boxed milk–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), and microwaveable meals–soups, ravioli, chili, lentils
- Personal Care: Baby diapers (Newborn-Size 6), Pull-Ups (2T-5T), adult diapers, incontinence pads, baby wipes, pads and tampons, shampoo, and body wash
- Household Items: Ziplocks and other resealable bags, laundry detergent, dish soap, cleaning spray, paper towels, toilet paper and napkins
- Misc. Other: dog and cat treats, and paper bags from grocery stores (not lunch bags)
You can find a list of our most needed donations here: Most Needed Donations
What We Cannot Accept
While Open Cupboard 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
- Plastic grocery bags
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 Open Cupboard can be found here.
If you have any questions about donations, contact donate@opencupboard.org or call 651-233-1296.