AY Honors/Hunger Relief/Answer Key

Template:Refimprove Template:Globalize A food bank is a place where food, both non-perishable goods and perishable goods like fresh produce, frozen items, and baker products, are offered to nonprofit agencies for distribution to people who may not be able to afford food. These agencies are typically non-profit organizations or run as part of a church or community outreach group. A food bank is like the wholesale arm of the food distribution system for those living in poverty. Other agencies are the retail arm and serve people directly. The term "food bank" is not protected by law, however, and is sometimes used by these agencies directly serving those in need of food.

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 and state governments often contract with food banks to distribute USDA surplus commodities. In addition, food banks who are members of America's Second Harvest, the nation's food bank network, are able to take advantage of relationships with major manufacturers. Instead of calling the more than 200 food banks across the country, a manufacturer with several semiloads of product to donate can make just one phone call.

The first food bank was St. Mary's Food Bank, started in 1967 in Phoenix, Arizona.

List of acceptable donations

Usually, these items are accepted.

• Breakfast items (bread loaves, instant oatmeal, cold cereal, breakfast bars, toaster pastries…)
• Lunch and dinner items (bags/cans of pasta, instant rice, instant noodle packets, dry soup pouches, pork and beans, chili beans, canned soups, canned greens, beef stew, canned black-eyed peas, creamed corn, canned flaked chicken, canned mushrooms, instant mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes, canned fish, dry beans…)
• Snack and dessert items (canned fruit, pudding cups, granola bars, crackers, dessert mix, fruit cups, raisins by the box, store-bought cookies, wafers, potato chips of any flavor, trail mix, dried fruit, fruit leather, pretzels, beef jerky, candies, popcorn kernels, jelly powder…)
• Baking supplies (pancake and muffin mixes, cake and icing mixes, flour, condensed milk, canned pie fillings…)
• Condiments (ketchup, mustard, gravy, pasta sauce, peanut butter, cranberry jelly…)
• Beverage items (powdered milk, juice boxes, canned/bottled pop, bottled water, canned coconut milk, meal replacement drinks, drink mixes, tea bags…)
• Pet food/treats

Individuals or small groups from churches or day programs can help by dividing up bulk donations and making packs for families, distributed by other helping organizations.