AY Honors/Hunger Relief/Answer Key
A food bank is a place where food, typically non-perishable goods (and sometimes frozen perishable goods such as meats or concentrated juices), are offered to nonprofit agencies for distribution to people in need of food for free or at very low prices (or in exchange for volunteer work). These agencies are typically non-profit organizations or ran as part of a church or community outreach group. Think of a food bank like the wholesale arm of the food distribution ssystem for those living in poverty. Other agencies are the retail arm and serve people directly. One of the confusing things about the term "food bank" is that it is not copyrighted and is sometimes used by 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 feeding programs. 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.
Those groups who serve people directly do not have the room, the warehousing skills or equipment to handle multiple pallets of product. Most, though not all, food banks, do not have the expertise to counsel and serve those in need of food. Working together as a system, more hungry people get fed.
