Ian Welsh / Shaula Evans
Wednesday November 21

Back in my twenties there was a period of a couple years where I occasionally had to use a food bank, and even hit up a soup kitchen once in a while (mostly for the sandwich packages they would give out, but I also had the sit down meal a couple times, in one case running from a day job I hadn't been paid for yet, eating lunch, and then running back).

Holidays are an extra lean time of year for people in need (this year more than ever), and food banks really struggle to feed everyone. A great way to observe Thanksgiving day is to make a contribution to a food bank and help someone who might otherwise go hungry.

Here are five tips to help out your local food bank while you count your own blessings this Thanksgiving.

1. Give what's needed most
If you contact your local food bank staff, they can tell you what they are short of and which needs are most urgent. (Check out Charity Navigator's food bank list.)

2. Money's always needed
No time to give food?--Food banks can put your financial donation to address their most pressing shortages. If there's no food bank in your immediate area, you can make a donation to regional or state food bank. And with many food banks, you can make a contribution instantly online.

3. Volunteers are always needed
No food or money to spare?--Your time can be an incredibly valuable contribution, too, to your local food bank or community kitchen. Food banks require hundreds of volunteers to as warehouse assistants, gardeners, mentors, food delivery drivers, visitor services aides, administrative assistants and to help with food drives.

4. An easy way for travelers to help
Are you a business traveler with drawers and boxes filled up with all those miniaturized hotel toiletries you bring home but never use? Many food banks really appreciate these as a way to include a high-end, name-brand product for the families they serve.

5. Services and Equipment
Food banks welcome a wide range of services and equipment from local businesses, including not just the obvious such as food services companies, but also IT, landscape and gardening for their facilities (someone has to mow that lawn), transportation, and warehouse- and distribution-related services. Once again, a quick call to your nearest food bank will let you know what they need. And, depending on your location, business donors may also be eligible for some form of Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit.

While I can't speak for those who'll receive the food (or money or time) you give, I can say that I have always been damn grateful that the food was there when I needed it, and I suspect that they will be too.

Photo credit: Rhode Island Community Foodbank