VOLUNTEER AT HOME FOR FLAVORS OF OUR COMMUNITY

Each pack you assemble helps a Twin Cities family find the foods they know and love at their local food shelf. Choose a pack (or packs) below, gather the ingredients, and drop it off — it's that simple.

CHOOSE YOUR PACK(s)

Follow these 5 easy steps to volunteer at home today! When you volunteer at home, you help our community find food staples they know, love and can prepare at local food shelves.

5 Steps to Volunteer at Home:

Choose which food pack(s) you will assemble and donate.
Sign up below to confirm your pack(s).
Purchase the items listed for your food pack(s).
Assemble the food pack(s) by placing the items into the type of bag listed.
Drop off completed food packs. A member of the Volunteer United team will be in touch to coordinate a drop-off at Greater Twin Cities United Way’s office (404 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404).

Before You Shop:

Print a shopping list
Average cost per pack: $10–$25
Sizes listed are guidelines — adjust based on store availability
Find items in the Global/Ethnic Foods, Spice, Canned Meats, and Baking sections
Can't find every item? Assemble what you can and include a note listing missing items

Afghan Staples

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

Afghan Spices

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

East African Staples

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)

EAST AFRICAN BAKING STAPLES

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

INDIGENOUS STAPLES

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

INDIGENOUS SPICES

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

KAREN STAPLES

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

KAREN SPICES

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

LATINE STAPLES

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

LATINE SPICES

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

SOUTHEAST ASIAN STAPLES

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

SOUTHEAST ASIAN SAUCES

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

Kids snack pack

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)

Family snack pack

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)

UNIVERSAL BAKING STAPLES

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

Ready-to-Eat Pack

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)

SIGN UP TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY RELEVANT FOOD PACKS

You can find the list of food staples above to determine what you would like to purchase, assemble and drop off.

GET INVOLVED Today

Take action and make a difference!

DONATE

Your support helps our whole community thrive by providing foods that are local, nutritious and meet cultural preferences. Your $16 donation purchases 4 meals for a family in the Twin Cities.

Donate Now →

SHOP OUR WISH LIST

You can also purchase food items that are highly needed and requested at local food shelves from our Amazon Wish List.

Shop Now →

VOLUNTEER AT HOME

Help us stock up local food shelves with meaningful and highly requested food, spices and ready-to-eat meals.

Volunteer Today →