AY Honors/Hunger Relief/Answer Key

A food bank is a place where food, typically non-perishable goods, are offered to the poor for free or at very low prices. Food banks are typically non-profit organizations.

Food banks often get the food from companies or supermarkets with unsaleable stock, and also from donations from the general public, especially around holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition, the US Government provides a variety of surplus foods to food banks at minimal or no cost.

Food banks differ from soup kitchens in that the food is not prepared, though some food banks may provide this service. Some banks serve as clearinghouses of large donations and serve numerous smaller organizations.