Food Bank in District Of Columbia County, District Of Columbia

The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.

A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.

The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on District Of Columbia Free Clinics, District Of Columbia Food Stamps, and food banks.


This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in District Of Columbia County, District Of Columbia and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.

What is a Food Bank?

Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.

They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.

Food Bank in District Of Columbia County, District Of Columbia serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.

How the Food Bank Works?

  • 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
  • 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
  • 3. Food Bank in District Of Columbia County, District Of Columbia distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
  • 4. Food reaches to who are in need.

how food bank works

Who can use Food Banks?

Many Food Bank in District Of Columbia County, District Of Columbia and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.

There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.

Here are the tips while .

  • It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
  • Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
  • If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.

Second Harvest Food Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.

Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.

Second Harvest Food Bank in District Of Columbia County, District Of Columbia is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.

St. Mary's Food Bank

The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.

The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.

It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.

Church Food Bank Food Bank in District Of Columbia County, District Of Columbia

Church Food Bank Food Bank in District Of Columbia County, District Of Columbia serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.

Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.

Feeding America

John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.

The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.

The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.

Capital Area Food Bank

Capital Area Food Bank's 'Weekend Bag' program provides a bag of non-perishable groceries for children ages 5-18. Weekend Bag offers healthy options for the weekend. Each bag contains items for breakfasts and snacks as well as lunch and supper foods. A typical bag weighs between 4-6 pounds.

We partner with programs working in community centers, schools, churches, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Parks & Recreation locations that are serving communities were at least 50 percent of the children in local schools are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Our partners distributed the bags each week and children must be registered with the community partners

Services provided :

  • Prepared Foods
  • Fresh Produce
  • After School Snacks
  • Senior Meal Delivery
  • Emergency Box

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.

Address :

5017 Nebraska Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20008.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • District Of Columbia

Capital Area Food Bank

The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest organization in the Washington metro area working to solve hunger and its companion problems: chronic undernutrition, heart disease, and obesity.

Monthly farmer’s market-inspired food distributions, located in high-density areas with high rates of food insecurity. The CAFB offers fresh, seasonal produce at no cost; health, housing, and other service providers are on site as resources for our clients, and cooking demonstrations offer inspiration for health.

For information about the Marketplace schedule or for notice of cancellation due to inclement weather, please call the information line at 202-769-5612.

Services provided :

  • Prepared Foods
  • Fresh Produce
  • After School Snacks
  • Senior Meal Delivery
  • Emergency Box

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (202) 644-9839 to book your appointment.

Address :

100 L St NW,
Washington, DC 20001.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: Closed
  • Tues: Closed
  • Wed: Closed
  • Thurs: Closed
  • Fri: Closed
  • Sat: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • District Of Columbia

Capital Area Food Bank

Food bank programs for seniors provide food to those in need at or near their home.

Next to children, seniors are the most vulnerable group at risk of hunger. Senior food insecurity has risen as a result of the recession. The number of seniors at risk of hunger in 2011 was 50% higher than in 2007.

The Senior Brown Bag program provides income-qualified seniors with supplemental bags of food and nutrition education materials on a monthly basis. The food bank currently operates 75 Senior Brown Bag locations serving over 4,178 seniors.

Contact us via phone for services.

Services provided :

  • Prepared Foods
  • Fresh Produce
  • After School Snacks
  • Senior Meal Delivery
  • Emergency Box

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (202) 979-8115 to book your appointment.

Address :

3403 16th St NW,
Washington, DC 20010.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • District Of Columbia

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.

SNAP benefits in District Of Columbia County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.

In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.

The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.

Free Food Programs Summary

Acronym Name For Moms & Kids For Seniors For Food Bank
SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Yes Yes No
TEFAP The Emergency Food Assistance Program Yes Yes Yes
CSFP The Commodity Supplemental Food Program No Yes Yes
CACFP The Child and Adult Care Food Program Yes Yes No
NSLP The National School Lunch Program Yes No No
SBP The School Breakfast Program Yes No No
SFSP The Summer Food Service Program Yes No No
WIC Women, Infants, and Children Yes No No

FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?

Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.

2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?

Specifically, District Of Columbia County food banks often need items like:

  • Peanut butter
  • Canned soup
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned vegetables
  • Pasta
  • Canned beans
  • Canned stew
  • Canned fish

3. How do you qualify for District Of Columbia County food bank assistance?

To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:

  • Current state-issued ID
  • Social Security numbers of all household members
  • Current electric bill to prove residence
  • Bank Statement for income verification