What is a food bank? How are people helped?
Food Bank:
Provides food pantries, soup kitchens and other agencies with produce and non-perishable food items.
A charitable organization that solicits, receives, inventories and stores donated food and grocery products. These products are distributed to charitable human services agencies, which, in turn, provide the products directly to needy clients through various agencies.
There are 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 Pantry:
Provides clients with food for home preparation and consumption.
A food distribution agency that provides three- to seven-day food packages directly to families and individuals who have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals to be prepared in their homes. 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.
Shelter:
Provides shelter on a short-term or temporary basis to clients, based on need.
An organization whose primary purpose is to provide temporary housing and hot, nutritional meals for battered women, homeless families and individuals. In addition many shelters provide referrals to other social service agencies.
Soup Kitchen:
Provides prepared nutritious meals served onsite for clients, based on need.
For some of the soup kitchen’s walk-ins, this is their only meal of the day. Many soup kitchens also serve clients in need, who are homebound.