Slug-A-Bug is collecting non-perishable foods during November that will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. It’s part of our effort to help provide meals and hope to children and their families in need this holiday season.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a private, nonprofit organization that collects, stores and distributes donated food to more than 500 feeding partners in six Central Florida counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia. With the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributes a quarter of a million meals every day to partner programs. These include as food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, senior centers, daycare centers and Kids Cafes.

The most critically needed food items include:

  • Fruits: Canned fruit (in its own juice, no sugar added varieties), dried fruit, 100-percent fruit juice
  • Vegetables: Canned vegetables (reduced salt/no salt varieties), 100-percent vegetable juice, spaghetti sauce
  • Grains: Rice, pasta, crackers (whole-grain varieties), ready-to-eat cereal (low sugar/high-fiber), oatmeal
  • Protein foods: Canned meat/poultry, canned tuna/salmon (packed in water), canned/dry beans & peas (low/no salt varieties), peanut butter
  • Dairy/dairy alternatives: Nonfat dry milk, evaporated milk, soymilk
  • Meals: Beef stew, canned soup (reduced sodium varieties), chili, other canned meals
  • Other: Nutritional drinks (ex: Ensure, Boost)
  • Baby food: Must be in complete, undamaged original packaging. No individual serving glass or plastic containers unless in an unopened case.
  • Non-food items: Diapers, toiletries (soap, shampoo, shaving cream, etc.). Must be unopened and stored separate from food donations.

For infants:

  • Powdered infant milk or soy based formulas (WIC-approved preferred)
  • Baby cereal
  • Baby fruits (single ingredient preferred)
  • Baby vegetables (single ingredient preferred)
  • Baby Meats (no meat sticks)

For toddlers:

  • Shelf-stable white whole milk for 1-year-olds; shelf-stable 1% (low fat) or skim milk for 2-years-olds and up; shelf-stable soy milk.
  • Canned fruits, preferably packed in juice with no added sugar
  • Canned vegetables, preferably low sodium or no salt added
  • Canned beans such as black, red, pink, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, pigeon peas, garbanzos
  • Shelf stable foods designed for toddlers such as Stage 3, Graduates, etc.

If our customers and other members of the community would like to donate the items listed above, please drop them off at our facility at 2091 N Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32935, Monday through Friday between 9 am and 4 pm, during November.

Thank you for your participation and support!