A food bank is a non-profit that safely stores millions of pounds of food, that will soon be delivered to local food programs, like a food pantry. Food banks are all different sizes. Some are very large – more than 25 of our food banks are double the size of an average wholesale club. Regardless of size, the food they store is donated from local neighbors, retailers, grocery stores, and restaurants. Feeding America also helps connect our network to additional resources, including food.
A food pantry is a distribution center where hungry families can receive food. Supplied with food from a food bank, pantries feed hundreds of people per week! Because every community is different, there are many different types of pantries.