Donate Food from Your Pantry, Garden, or Grocery Cart
Drop Off Food Donations
Food donations are accepted at LEAF on Wednesdays from 10:00am-5:00pm. We accept perishable and non-perishable items that are unopened. We are happy to help you unload large, heavy bags and boxes. Questions? Email the Food Pantry or call 720-864-4309.
Food Donation Guidelines
Lyons Community Food Pantry is committed to the safety and health of those who receive food from us. All food donations are sorted to comply with federal, state, and local food safety regulations. You can help by following these guidelines when donating food:
Canned and Dry Goods: Unopened and in original packaging with labels; packaging is in good condition (no dents, bulging, or rust); donated no more than 6 months past use-by date.
Fresh Produce: Uncut with no signs of mold, spoilage, or severe bruising; we accept garden-fresh produce as well.
Dairy Products: Unopened; must have been kept at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or lower at all times (including transportation to CFS); donated on or before the sell-by date.
Baked Goods: Must be prepared in a licensed kitchen; in original packaging with proper labeling; donated no more than 2 days past the sell-by date.
Meat Products: Unopened and frozen on or before the sell-by date; items must be less than 3 months old (and frozen the entire time).
Deli Products (e.g. salads and sandwiches): Unopened and in the original packaging with labels and complete list of ingredients; donated before the sell-by date.
Prepared & Catered Food: If you are a caterer or you have a large donation of prepared foods, please email our Food Pantry directors.
Livestock & Wild Game: Frozen donations of livestock and wild game can only be accepted if the meat has been processed and packaged in a USDA meat processing facility.
Lyons Community Food Pantry is a partner agency of Community Food Share. These guidelines are adopted from Community Food Share.
Canned and Dry Goods: Unopened and in original packaging with labels; packaging is in good condition (no dents, bulging, or rust); donated no more than 6 months past use-by date.
Fresh Produce: Uncut with no signs of mold, spoilage, or severe bruising; we accept garden-fresh produce as well.
Dairy Products: Unopened; must have been kept at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or lower at all times (including transportation to CFS); donated on or before the sell-by date.
Baked Goods: Must be prepared in a licensed kitchen; in original packaging with proper labeling; donated no more than 2 days past the sell-by date.
Meat Products: Unopened and frozen on or before the sell-by date; items must be less than 3 months old (and frozen the entire time).
Deli Products (e.g. salads and sandwiches): Unopened and in the original packaging with labels and complete list of ingredients; donated before the sell-by date.
Prepared & Catered Food: If you are a caterer or you have a large donation of prepared foods, please email our Food Pantry directors.
Livestock & Wild Game: Frozen donations of livestock and wild game can only be accepted if the meat has been processed and packaged in a USDA meat processing facility.
Lyons Community Food Pantry is a partner agency of Community Food Share. These guidelines are adopted from Community Food Share.
Plant a Row for the Pantry
Are you planting a vegetable garden? The Lyons Community Food Pantry and its patrons would be so happy if you will plant a row of veggies to donate! Or, if you are a container gardener, plant a tomato, a few lettuces, or a squash for the Pantry. The Pantry can accept home grown vegetables, and produce is always needed. Produce can’t be stored like canned goods or cleaning supplies, so it is harder for food pantries in general to provide enough good quality produce for folks. Lyons Community Food Pantry is no different. Once it is ripe and picked, bring the produce by any Wednesday between 10am and 5pm. We will happily and gratefully distribute it during Food Pantry hours that day!