Dear Heloise: When making donations to food pantries and organizations who are feeding the homeless and underprivileged, keep in mind that they cannot accept expired, opened or already spoiled food items. If any of your items fall in these categories, please dispose of them because they can’t use them. Donate year-round, not just from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Spread out your donations throughout the year. Some of these organizations operate 365 days a year.

When donating food items, think outside the box. Food items that might be needed can include meat (hamburgers, bacon and sausages are greatly appreciated), eggs, milk, juice, butter, vegetable oil, coffee, creamer, sugar, flour, salt, pepper, seasonings, fresh fruit, and vegetables.

Paper products that might be needed can include plates, napkins, forks, cups, trash bags, toilet paper and paper towels. Don’t forget cleaning supplies!

For first aid/health care, you can donate bandages, antibiotic creams, antacids, aspirin, cough drops, cold and flu medicine, and allergy-relief medicine.

I hope this helps people consider donating different items, not just canned goods and macaroni and cheese. Everyone likes to have a variety of foods, not just the same things over and over. — C. Ecklund, Temple, Texas