The month of May is Allergy Awareness Month. Did you know that over 32 million Americans have serious and potentially life-threatening food allergies and that 8 foods account for 90% of all Food Allergy reactions: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Soy, Dairy, Wheat, Fish, and Shellfish? For this month’s Help From Home we are asking you to put together gluten free care packages for our allergy sensitive clients. The bags should include gluten free mac & cheese, peanut butter alternative’s, gluten free oatmeal, quinoa and dry soup.  Include your favorite allergy friendly recipe as well.

Step 1. You’ll need to gather some gluten free foods. (You can purchase or use unopened boxes that you have at home (please check the expiration date) and paper or plastic bags.

Step 2. Find a clean dry workspace. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and put on a clean pair of gloves.

Step 3. You can collect some or all of these items. If you collect all of them, feel free to bag them up for us to go straight to our clients. Our most needed gluten free items are gluten free mac & cheese, peanut butter alternative’s, gluten free oatmeal, quinoa and dry soup. If you have a favorite allergy free recipe please include it.

Step 6. Take a picture of you and/or your bags and post to Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #ifphelpfromhome.

Step 7. Finally, you can donate your bags to the IFPN through our no contact bins at 2 Executive Drive in Morris Plains.