Food Bank? Food Pantry? Soup Kitchen?
What’s the difference?
There are so many organizations that make a difference in our community but what’s the difference? For starters, a food bank provides those in need with pre-packaged and non-perishable items such as dairy products, meats, bread and vegetables. Often, the food banks also provides these products to others in need through various agencies such as food pantries and soup kitchens.
There are currently nine separate regional food banks in Utah. They work together to share food resources, educate the community about hunger and to increase the visibility of food banks in Utah. Each operates independently and relies upon local citizens, food producers, grocers, government funding and a variety of other resources to try and meet the need in their local communities.
Food pantries are a key source of emergency food security for low-income families, the working poor and for those whose food stamp benefits run out before month’s end. Many food pantries provide additional services, such as hygiene items and referrals to social service agencies. Like a food bank, a food pantry also provide their clients with pre-packaged and non-perishable items, but a food pantry typical is a smaller version of a food bank. Food pantries usually don’t have the storage space like a food bank, but no matter what the size of each organization is both help the needy in their communities.
Soup kitchen, bread line or meal center no matter what you call this type of orgnization all serve that same purpose. A soup kitchen provides prepared nutritious meals served onsite for clients. These meals are offered to the needy for free or at very low cost. In many instances, visitors to a soup kitchen do not need to meet any eligibility requirements. Many soup kitchens also serve clients who are homebound.
