Clean up the Pantry & Do a Good Deed

Tip for Today: Reclaim pantry space buy donating non-perishable food.

My pantry closet is tiny.  It's the size of a small broom closet.  Essentially, it is no wider than the door and half-an-arm length deep.  Our previous home had 3 pantry closets and finding storage for food was never a problem.  This new closet tests my space management skills daily as I pack it full of food to feed a family of 4. 

Each trip to the grocery store starts with a list of carefully selected items which will (1) fit in the miniscule pantry and (2) will be consumed in time for the next shopping trip.  Yet, inspite of my careful planning and purchasing, there are still items that linger week after week and take up precious shelf space. 

The extra bottle of Chipolte Lime marinade and can of cream of broccoli soup which didn't get used in the new recipes we tried.  A box of strawberry cake mix left over from a scout baking event.  A jar of apple butter and applesauce from a gift basket we received.  Extra Tang powder bought on sale, which my kids don't like to drink anymore.  I can't throw them out...it's money wasted...but I need to reclaim my pantry space.  What's a mom to do?

The solution to my surplus groceries arrived in the mail this morning - a brown paper bag printed with a request to support the Postal Carriers Food Drive on Saturday, May 12.  My unneeded canned and boxed food goes to a worthwhile charity and they'll come pick it up, too.  Sweet!

In two minutes, that bag was half full with assorted non-perishable groceries and waiting by the door for pick-up on Saturday.  Adios, cream of broccoli soup.  Hello, grocery store.  I have a new shopping list...