How to Give the Gift of Health This Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year––but unfortunately, not for everyone. Almost 49 million Americans do not know where their next meal is coming from and depend on food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens for nourishment. These same people are at a higher risk for diabetes, hypertension, and other health issues, which can be exacerbated when food relief organizations are only able to offer few options––like canned and processed foods high in sodium, sugar, and fat. 

To combat the health crisis of the hungry, SuperFood Drive was founded in 2009 in San Diego with the belief that the hungry should never have to sacrifice health. They work with their partners to infuse the hunger-relief system with healthy foods, so every man, woman, and child has access to nutritious food essential for an active and healthy life. 

This holiday season is a perfect time to get involved with the movement and help ensure every family can enjoy a happy and healthy holiday meal. Below are ways that you can be a part of the change towards nutrition for all.  

Donate more healthy foods: It’s easy to simply grab whatever is in the back of your pantry to donate, but in order to improve the health of the hungry, donors must make a conscious decision of what they are donating. A shift towards healthier items can go a long way. Below are a few ways to start: 

• Whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta
• Natural peanut butter without hydrogenated oil
• Fruit canned in its own juice instead of high fructose corn syrup
• Whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, whole grain cereal, or rolled oats
• Low sodium soups and vegetables canned in water
• Lean protein (canned tuna, salmon, sardines), beans, or lentils

Familiarize yourself with local food banks: Now that you know what to buy, you’ve got to figure out where to donate your food. San Diego County alone has hundreds of food pantries, and there’s no shortage of need during the holidays, when the demand increases exponentially. To find the food pantry nearest you, use SuperFood Drive’s "Find a Food Pantry" tool. Once you find one in your neighborhood, call them to ask what specifically they need. You may be surprised to find out there’s a major shortage of volunteers or unexpected donation items. 

Host your own SuperFood Drive: A great way to be an advocate for the health of the hungry is to host your own SuperFood Drive. If you’re hosting a holiday party, instead of doing a gift exchange encourage guests to bring in $20 (or more) worth of healthy, non-perishable food items. Make it a competition by awarding whoever brings in the most items for a hearty and healthy holiday meal. Decorate a large donation bin in festive decor to really get people in the gift-giving spirit. Finally, send this information to your party attendees so they know what’s best for donating.  

Be creative in what you give: Oftentimes necessary kitchen items are overlooked and don’t get donated. Spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon are often key ingredients in holiday recipes and are a great substitute for sugar-heavy condiments. Canola and olive oils are other cooking essentials that are healthy thanks to mono-unsaturated fats. 

Take your efforts online: If during the hectic holidays you are too busy to go to the grocery store to buy items and then to a food bank to drop off the items, you can make an online monetary donation to SuperFood Drive’s Virtual Drive. These donation packages, starting at $7.50, allow you to easily give the gift of health. Share the link with your network to show everyone how easy it is to get involved.     

For more information on how to give the gift of health this holiday season, visit SuperFood Drive. 

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