• High-protein foods are an important addition to a food drive.beans image by chrisharvey from Fotolia.com
  
  The anti-hunger organization Second Harvest estimated that in 2008, 49.1 million Americans lived in food-insecure households. Food drives are always needed. Food banks struggle to keep shelves stocked. In New Orleans, the Churches of Algiers Food Bank closed its doors in 2010 due to a lack of food to distribute and an increase in the customers who needed it. There are tried-and-true staples for food drives or food banks at any time. Food banks suggest to avoid donating glass containers, buy family-sized items if possible, and exclude opened boxes or past-date goods.
  
  

Protein Foods

• Protein foods are high on the list of needed staples for a food basket. High on the list are canned chicken, turkey or ham. Beef stew and soups with meat or beans are good. Canned fish, tuna, mackerel or salmon are useful. Peanut butter is an important staple for most families. Packages of dried beans or tins of beans go a long way in preparing inexpensive meals. Dried or evaporated milk can be donated. Items that are low-sodium and low-fat are preferred when available.
  
  

Carbohydrate Foods

• The brick-and-mortar of food basket items are the carbohydrates. Food baskets need rice and other grains, pasta and cereal. Noodles, and boxes of macaroni and cheese are useful. Cereals should be low on the sugar. Hot cereals, such as oatmeal or cream of wheat, are staples for a food basket, as well. Dehydrated potato packets and pre-seasoned noodle dinners can be packed into a basket to fill out empty spaces.
  
  

Fruits and Vegetables

• Canned fruits and vegetables are nonperishable staples to include in donations to food drives or food banks. These include tomatoes and tomato sauce, or pasta sauce. Canned peaches, pears and applesauce are important to include. Any canned vegetables, from beets to zucchini are needed. Dried fruits, like prunes and raisins, as well as dehydrated vegetables are good alternatives to canned items. Fruit juices are also welcome.
  
  

Nonfood Items

• Laundry detergent, toilet paper and dish soap are high priorities for donations. Also needed are shampoo and soap, body lotion and toothpaste. Disposable diapers are an expensive item that are badly needed staples. Diapers and baby wipes can be included in the food basket.