What to Donate: A Quick Guide to Accepted vs. Unaccepted Foods
At Halal Hands previously - Milton Halal Food Bank, every contribution makes a genuine difference for neighbours facing food insecurity. To be sure your gift goes straight onto someone’s table, please use the guide below when you’re filling your donation box.
General “Yes!” Guidelines
We can accept food that is new, unexpired, unopened, and unused. Sealed packages with clearly visible best-before dates help us move stock quickly and safely.
Foods We Gladly Accept
Breakfast Items: Breakfast spreads, cereal, oatmealCanned Foods: Beans, tuna, soup, vegetables, lentils, fruit, evaporated/condensed milk, tomato sauceChildren’s Items: Baby formula, diapers, pull-ups, wipesCondiments & Spices: BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, sugarDrinks: Shelf-stable juice, coffee (dry), tea (dry), bottled waterDry Foods: Rice, pasta, noodles, flour, dried beans & lentils, dried peas, dried fruitHome Supplies (non-food, but always needed): Bathroom tissue, shampoo, dish soap, toothpaste, paper towelMen’s & Women’s Items (hygiene): Senior diapers, padsTip: Buying in bulk? Break larger multipacks into individual, sealed units—this helps us create balanced food hampers for more households.
Foods We Cannot Accept
Please do not bring the following, as they cannot be distributed and must be discarded at cost to the food bank:
- Alcohol
- Clothes (unless brand new)
- Electronics
- Equipment
- Fresh Foods (produce, bakery, dairy, etc.)
- Furniture
- Haram Foods
- Meat (except halal meat donated during Eid al Adha, pre-portioned in 2-3lb bags and handled with strict hygiene)
- Opened Foods
- Supplies (unless new & useful)
Why These Rules Matter
- Food safety: Unopened, unexpired items guard against spoilage and illness.
- Respecting dietary needs: As a halal food bank, we avoid haram ingredients and ensure all meat meets Islamic requirements.
- Resource efficiency: Disposing of unusable donations costs volunteer time and disposal fees—resources better spent feeding families.
Final Check Before You Drop Off
- Inspect the package: No dents, bulges, or broken seals.
- Look at the date: Must be clearly printed and in the future.
- Keep it clean: Wipe jars and tins so labels remain readable.
- Sort by category: Boxing like items together speeds up intake.
Ready to help? Bring your qualifying food items to our depot, organise a neighbourhood drive, or add an extra non-perishable to your own grocery cart each week. Together, we can keep our shelves stocked and bellies full—one halal-friendly donation at a time.
Thank you for living our motto: “Change doesn’t happen alone — it takes all of us.”
