In partnership with nonprofits across the Twin Cities, we’ve developed 16 pantry and spice packs food packs containing various food items — like beans, noodles, sauces, and baking supplies — that, when supplemented with fresh items, create nutritious and familiar meals.
Sign up today to volunteer for Flavors of Our Community! When you volunteer at home, you help our community find food staples they know, love and can prepare at local food shelves.
Follow these steps to volunteer at home:
Place all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (8-10 oz) Raisins
1 (16 oz bag) Dried Kidney Beans
1 (32 oz) Basmati Rice
1 (16 oz bag) Dried Lentils
Place all items in a quart Ziploc bag:
1 (2 oz) Paprika
1 (1 oz) Turmeric
1 (2.5 oz ground) Chili Powder
1 (3.75 oz) Salt
1 (1.25 oz) Pepper
Place all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (16 oz bag) Dried Lentils
1 (18 oz bag or multiple packets) Oatmeal - plain
1 (16 oz bag) Red Kidney Beans
1 (32 oz bag) Basmati Rice
1 (10 oz bag) Medjool Dates (optional)
Place all items in one jumbo (14x16”) or two 2-gallon Ziploc bags:
1 (24 oz bag) Semolina Flour
1 (4 lb bag) Sugar
3 (0.75 oz packages) Dry Yeast
1 (10 oz container) Baking Powder
1 (26 oz container) Salt
Place all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (14.75 oz) Canned Salmon/Chicken/Beef
1 (8.5 oz) Cornbread Mix
1 (14.5 oz) Canned Diced Tomatoes
1 (15.5 oz) Hominy Beans
1 (15.5 oz) Canned Red Kidney Beans
Place all items in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (8 oz) Better than Bouillon Vegetable
1 (2.25 oz) Onion Powder
1 (2.25 oz) Garlic Powder
1 (16 oz) Honey
Place all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (4-7 oz) Sardines
1 (8 oz can) Bamboo Shoots
1 (3.75 oz bag) Bean Thread Noodles
1 (32 oz bag) Jasmine Rice
1 (32 oz) Vegetable Oil
Place all items in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (1 oz) Turmeric
1 (3.75 oz) Salt
1 (1.25 oz) Pepper
1 (2 oz) Ginger
1 (2.5 oz) Garlic Powder
1 (8 oz) Chili Garlic Sauce or Chili Oil
Place all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (15 oz can) Corn, whole kernel
1 (12 oz can) Jalapeños
1 (16 oz bag) Dry Beans (black or pinto)
1 (32 oz bag) White Rice
1 (16 oz bag, shelf-stable) Corn Tortillas
Place all items in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (2.5 oz ground) Cinnamon
1 (0.6 oz) Cumin
1 (1.8 oz ground) Cayenne
1 (3 oz) Garlic Powder
1 (8 oz) Adobo Seasoning
Place all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (4 oz can) Asian Mackerels or Sardines
1 (14 oz can) Baby Corn (whole)
1 (8 oz can) Bamboo Shoots
1 (3.75 oz bag) Bean Thread Noodles
1 (13.5 oz can) Coconut Milk
1 (32 oz bag) Jasmine Rice
Place all items in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 (8 oz) Chili Garlic Sauce
1 (7 oz) Fish Sauce
1 (10 oz) Hoisin Sauce
1 (17 oz) Sriracha Sauce
Place all items in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag:
1 Granola bar (nut and marshmallow free)
1 Juice Box (100% juice)
1 Pouch (fruit, yogurt, etc.)
1 Meat Stick (pork free)
1 Fruit Leather or Fruit Snacks
1 Bag of Pretzels
1 Napkin (optional)
Place all items in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag:
Trail Mix: 4 individual Bags or 1 Large Bag
Pretzels: 4 Individual Bags or 1 Large bag
4 Protein or Granola Bars
4 Meat Sticks (pork free)
2 Bags of Microwave Popcorn
2 Bags of Dried Fruit
4 Napkins (optional)
Place all items in one jumbo (14” x 16”) or two 2-gallon Ziploc bags:
1 (5 lb bag) All-purpose Flour
1 (4 lb bag) Sugar
1 (26 oz container) Salt
3 (0.75 oz package) Active Dry Yeast
1 (32 oz) Vegetable Oil
Place all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
2 Cans Ready-to-Eat Meals (canned chili, soup, etc.)
2 Macaroni and Cheese Cups
1 Package of Dried Fruit
2 Drinks: Juice Box, Shelf Stable Milk, V8, etc.
(no soda please)
2 Breakfast Items: Instant Oatmeal, Cereal Cup, Granola Bar
4 Plastic Spoons (optional)
4 Napkins (optional)
Completed pantry packs can be dropped off at the below locations between March 23 and May 1. When you sign up, you will be prompted to select a drop-off location.
A collection box will be placed inside the lobby of the following Old National Bank locations during open business hours (9am-5pm) from Monday, March 23 – Friday, May 1:
Not able to make a drop-off at an Old National Bank location? Select “Schedule a Drop-Off at United Way” on your sign up, and a member of the Volunteer United team will reach out to coordinate a drop-off at Greater Twin Cities United Way's office: 404 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
You can find the list of food staples above to determine what you would like to purchase, assemble and drop off.
