I've been a recipient of food bank supplies in the past. Here's my experience: Depending on how many in a family you get a numbered ticket. That determines how much you may take at certain stations (protein and dried goods). At the fresh produce and bread stations you are encouraged to take as much as you can use (though they limit certain fruits and veggies). Protein may often be frozen hot dogs or veggie dogs. I can count on mac & cheese, beans and rice, tomato soup, etc. in the dried goods. I'd guess that the most helpful thing for the volunteers as well as recipients would be a LARGE donation so that it can be easily divided amongst the 50 - 100 bags they have to assemble for a group of hungry people. [w/o having to compare apples to oranges] Get together and buy two or three cases of soy milk or annie's peace pasta or whatEV... I recommend visiting and seeing for yourself. You don't have to take food, you'll see BREAD GOES STALE FASTER THAN THEY CAN GIVE IT AWAY! & MOST PPL DON'T EAT THEIR VEGGIES!

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Is the swipe card at the check stands at Ralphs and Bayview which, i believe, have values of 2, 5, and 10 dollars. I trust the food bank to make the best choice based on their most immediate needs coupled with their ability to get the most bang for the buck. ~*~