What is a Food Bank?
Services offered at a food bank are broadly similar to services offered at a food pantry, food closet, soup kitchen, meal center, and other food assistance organizations. However, a food bank is a different type of organization. A food bank is a larger repository of food, hygiene products, and other non-food items compared to smaller operations such as a food closet or food pantry. A food bank typically stores hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and non-food items. This means a food bank carries more items for those in need. Most food banks have delivery services or a car line for you to pick up boxed, canned, and prepackaged items. This is unlike a soup kitchen or meal center that serve prepared, ready-to-eat food for you to eat on premises. Most food banks do not include an area for people to eat within the facility itself. You pick up the items you need and then take them to your home.
Food Pantries and Food Closets
A food pantry or food closet are smaller distribution centers providing assistance. Sometimes food pantries and food closets are supplied with food from a larger food bank. Every community is different, meaning there may be different types of food pantries or food closets. For example, sometimes a food pantry or food closet is inside a school to make it easier for children and their families to get food. A food pantry and food closet typically carry less food and non-food items because they are smaller operations compared to a food bank.
Soup Kitchens and Meal Centers
A soup kitchen or meal center are places where prepared hot food and/or cold food is offered to those in need. Food is usually consumed on premises. Soup kitchens and meal centers are often staffed by volunteer organizations such as church or community groups. Soup kitchens and meal centers sometimes obtain food from a food bank, but may not provide food or non-food items (such as hygiene-related items) to be taken for use in the home.
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