The Food Bank distributes food to qualifying agencies, most of which provide food directly to needy clients through various types of programs. These people include unemployed and underemployed workers, those who are elderly or disabled, and families caught in crisis situations. There are two general classifications for food programs served by the Food Bank: emergency and non-emergency food programs.



Emergency Food Programs: Includes food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters. The primary purpose of the emergency food programs is to feed people in need of short-term or emergency food assistance. Seventy-eight percent of the food distributed through agencies goes to these programs.



Non-Emergency Organizations: Non-profit charitable organizations that provide important social services to low-income people and may serve snacks or meals in the course of their service to clients. These agencies include child care centers, Kids Cafes, family service agencies, senior citizens food programs, and rehabilitation centers.