DEAR HELOISE: I work at a food pantry where we collect and distribute food in our community. With the holidays coming up, we need more canned goods for families who would otherwise go without a decent meal. In this land of plenty, there should be no hungry children, but the groups so often overlooked are the elderly and shut-ins. I would urge people to invite one or two extra people -- a serviceman or -woman, or an elderly neighbor, for example -- to share this Thanksgiving.
-- Christina C., Wisconsin
DEAR HELOISE: My husband's brother and sister-in-law are coming for a visit, and I'd like to "wow" them with some tasty dishes. What I need is a salad to serve with a main dish of shrimp and rice. Got any ideas?
-- Etta N., Eugene, Ore.
DEAR READER: I think my Hearts of Palm and Artichoke Salad would be a wonderful addition:
1 (14-ounce) can hearts of palm, drained and sliced
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and cut in half
1 medium head radicchio, torn
1 bunch watercress, torn
1/4 cup creamy buttermilk salad dressing
Pepper and salt
In a large bowl, gently toss together the hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, radicchio and watercress. Pour dressing over all, tossing gently to coat. Season with pepper and salt to taste. Cover and chill until serving time. Serves 4.
DEAR HELOISE: I found a long pad of lined paper on which to make lists. It has a magnet on it and now hangs on the front of my refrigerator. When anyone in our family sees that we are running low on something, they add it to the list of items on the pad. This is why we never run out of milk, toilet paper, paper towels or coffee.
-- Janet T., Elmira, N.Y.
DEAR HELOISE: For Thanksgiving and Christmas, I like to use a long, beautiful tablecloth for the adult table. However, I set a children's table with a fancy paper tablecloth and paper plates with plastic cups. They can sit down to a nice dinner without having to worry that they might spill on a tablecloth or break a plate. When they're done, I recycle the plastic cups and then take each corner of the paper tablecloth, form a sack with all the paper dishes inside and toss it out.
-- Debra S., Naples, Fla.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
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Food on 11/15/2017