Food Pantry in Salem, New Jersey

A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Salem, New Jersey distribute groceries to individuals or families who are in some form of an emergency situation.

There are also meals, free bags of food, personal toiletries and household goods for low to moderate income families from food pantries near you.

Distribution centers can include churches, non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and many other local charities as well as non-profits.

Salvation Army Food Pantry

The Salvation Army is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity.

The Salvation Army operates free local food banks around Salem, New Jersey from almost all of their local social service centers. The charity organization is involved in feeding millions of families each year, with a large percentage of those assisted being children as well as the elderly.

We have located 0 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Salem, New Jersey which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Church Food Pantry

A number of churches around Salem, New Jersey have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.

Churches operate with food donations gathered and deliver to the food pantry nearest you by individuals using food drives.

Some churches also deliver food items to elderly who are unable to drive to a nearest community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.

We have located 6 Church Food Pantry locations in Salem, New Jersey which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Pennsville Church of the Nazarene - Pennsville Community Food Pantry

The Pennsville Community Food Pantry gathers non-perishable food items as a means of helping those who are in need. While this is a small help in the midst of larger problems, we hope to always be available to walk with you through difficult times. This is a ministry of the Pennsville Ministerium and hosted at Pennsville Church of the Nazarene - 172 Churchtown Rd in Pennsville. Food is available every month on the fourth Saturday from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 678-5803 to book your appointment.

Address :

172 Churchtown Rd,
Pennsville, NJ 08070.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Pennsville

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

First Baptist Church - Mickey Bowman Food Pantry

The First Baptist Church of Salem is the home of the Mickey Bowman Food Pantry. Distribution Hours: 2nd Friday 8:00am - 11:00am

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 935-0531 to book your appointment.

Address :

130 W Broadway,
Salem, NJ 08079.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Salem

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

Mount Calvary SDA Church - Food Pantry

Distribution Hours: 3rd Thursday 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 935-5172 to book your appointment.

Address :

5 Union St,
Salem, NJ 08079.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Salem

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

Mt. Hope United Methodist Church - Food Pantry

Mt. Hope United Methodist Church is a community of faith called to serve God’s people through Worship, Evangelism, Outreach, and Christian Education. Food Pantry occurs 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 935-2091 to book your appointment.

Address :

364 E Broadway,
Salem, NJ 08079.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Salem

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

St. John’s Pentecostal Church - Food Pantry

Hours: 2nd & 3rd Fridays 10am-2pm, emergencies Monday-Friday 8am-3pm. One visit allowed every week. No appointment needed, come to rear door of the Church, clothes and small appliances are also available. Requirements: none

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 935-1445 to book your appointment.

Address :

22 New Market St,
Salem, NJ 08079.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Salem

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

Asbury United Methodist Church - Disciples Pantry

Housed in the lower level of Asbury UMC, the Disciples Pantry opened in 2002 and is run by area community churches. It serves the hungry of Salem County and it operates solely on donations of food and money (to purchase food). Open on Tuesdays: 10 - Noon, and 4-6 pm.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 769-2484 to book your appointment.

Address :

149 S Main St,
Woodstown, NJ 08098.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Woodstown

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

Catholic Charities Food Pantry

Resources provided by the Catholic Charity organization focus on addressing food, holiday, and immigration needs.

Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charity centers for help.

Catholic Charities in Salem, New Jersey are open to families on a first-come, first-serve basis. The centers operate during normal business hours, and provide walk-ins with groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal.

The food pantries are like grocery stores, allow clients the ability to choose the items they need from the groceries that are available on site.

First-time clients of the food pantry will need to apply, and this is done from a one-page application. An applicant will need to provide basic household member as well as demographic information.

We have located 2 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Salem, New Jersey which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Catholic Charities Food Pantry - Penns Grove

The services offered through Catholic Charities Family and Community Services Centers are available to all, regardless of religious denomination, race, gender, or immigration status. Food Pantry - By appointment only.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 299-1296 to book your appointment.

Address :

114 State St,
Penns Grove, NJ 08069.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Penns Grove

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

Catholic Charities Food Pantry - Salem

The services offered through Catholic Charities Family and Community Services Centers are available to all, regardless of religious denomination, race, gender, or immigration status. Food Pantry hours: 9:00-4:00, Monday-Friday.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 339-4102 to book your appointment.

Address :

25 Oak St,
Salem, NJ 08079.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Salem

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Salem, New Jersey almost entirely by volunteers.

It provides a 7-day supply of groceries and personal care items free of charge to people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Helping Hands is supported entirely by donations from individuals, service organizations, churches, and businesses in our community.

Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.

We have located 0 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in Salem, New Jersey which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Mobile Food Pantry

The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around Salem, New Jersey in need during large-scale one-day distributions.

A typical mobile pantry serves 200-250 families distributing up to 10,000 pounds of food. This past year over 6.6 million pounds were distributed through this program.

Mobile food pantries usually visit churches, community centers, schools, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. They usually go to areas where there aren't grocery stores or other food pantries.

Mobile Food Pantry Schedule 2024

Unlike traditional food pantries where you go to them, mobile pantry trucks come to you. Food banks sometimes have an online mobile food pantry schedule.

Mobile food pantry scheduled to visit a community once a week or once a month. There may be last-minute cancellations or changes so recheck the mobile food pantry schedule before you plan to go.

We have located 0 Mobile Food Pantry locations in Salem, Model.Content.StateName which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry

The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry operates around Salem, New Jersey much like a grocery store where people in need can choose their own food. It helps to enhance their personal dignity and reduces waste due to unwanted food items.

It also helps them to be proactive in addressing any underlying health issues. This is our model of choice for food pantries in the future.

We have located 1 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Salem, New Jersey which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

St. Clare of Assisi - Saint Vincent De Paul Society

Emergency food assistance (for emergency situations only; quantity is based upon family size) Residents of Gibbstown, Logan Township, Paulsboro, Swedesboro, Woolwich, northern West Deptford, and western Greenwich ONLY. Clients must call and follow the prompts to leave a detailed message of their situation. The individual seeking assistance must be the person to call the number. All messages will be returned by a staff member within 24 hours. Callers must call from an unblocked number. For all assistance, an assessment and an in-person interview will be conducted.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 423-4190 to book your appointment.

Address :

140 Broad St,
Swedesboro, NJ 08085.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Swedesboro

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Gloucester

Food Pantry Delivery Program

Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Salem, New Jersey area. This makes it just a bit easier for some of more remote rural agencies to receive their products. About 70% of members take advantage of the Food Pantry Delivery Program.

Food Pantry

We have located 9 Food Pantry locations in Salem, New Jersey which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Bebashi

All Bebashi clients can access the Second Helping Emergency Food Cupboard once per month. This service is open to anyone in need. The primary goal of the hunger relief program is to address the needs of our low-income, disenfranchised consumers who are struggling to feed themselves and their families. Through this program, consumers are able to receive both perishable and nonperishable food items. In addition, through a relationship with City Harvest, a group of local farmers, fresh vegetables are often available from spring to fall.

Non-Bebashi clients require a referral letter from a social worker.

Services provided :

  • emergency food
  • food pantry

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 :

1235 Spring Garden St,
Philadelphia, PA 19123.
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 - 08:00 PM
  • Fri: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Bucks
  • Burlington
  • Camden
  • Cecil
  • Chester
  • Delaware
  • Gloucester
  • Montgomery
  • New Castle
  • Philadelphia
  • Salem

Philabundance

FFA puts fresh produce into the hands of those who need it most all at no cost. Locations are determined based on need and access to fresh produce. Some sites are in partnership with an area agency or business. FFA is like a traveling farmers market that set up at the same location every week at the same time so local residents can rely on the availability. To receive produce, neighbors are asked for basic household information to maintain program reporting and funding, but neighbors do not need to qualify for the program, and participating in FFA does not affect other benefits received.

For information on current Fresh For All distributions and/or cancellations, call 215-220-1920.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • meals

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (215) 339-0900 to book your appointment.

Address :

302 W Berks St,
Philadelphia, PA 19122.
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:

  • Delaware
  • Montgomery
  • Philadelphia
  • Burlington
  • Camden
  • Gloucester
  • Salem

Lutheran Settlement House

The LSH Food Cupboard is available Monday-Friday, 9AM-4PM. All ages are welcome. No referrals are required.

Call Hungry 2 Healthy Coordinator Chloe Warnick with any questions at 215-426-8610 x1298.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (215) 387-2587 to book your appointment.

Address :

25 S 43rd St,
Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Counties:

  • New Castle
  • Cecil
  • Burlington
  • Camden
  • Gloucester
  • Salem
  • Bucks
  • Chester
  • Delaware
  • Montgomery
  • Philadelphia

Feast Of Justice

Feast of Justice is a ministry operated out of St. John’s Lutheran Church in northeast Philadelphia. All though we operate out of St. John’s, we are a cooperative effort of community churches, companies and individuals. Our mission is to support the community by transforming the lives of its residents.

We offer a community cupboard, which provides families with emergency, supplemental food every month. Pick up is once per month.

Documents required for new registrants:

• Proof of household size (for instance: original Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport for every person in the household)
• Photo ID with your current address

For revisiting registrants, please bring the following documents to your visit:

• Feast of Justice card and
• Photo ID with current address

Services provided :

  • emergency food
  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (215) 268-3510 to book your appointment.

Address :

3101 Tyson Ave,
Philadelphia, PA 19149.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Bucks
  • Burlington
  • Camden
  • Cecil
  • Chester
  • Delaware
  • Gloucester
  • Montgomery
  • New Castle
  • Philadelphia
  • Salem

Penns Grove Hope Mobile

The Hope Mobile, a mobile pantry, carries truckloads of food to 'food deserts' - those areas that lack access to a viable network of food sources as well as to foods that comprise a well balanced, nutrient rich diet. This aptly named 18 wheel tractor trailer holds 45,000 lbs. of food. This year the Hope Mobile will carry more than 2.6 million pounds of food that will reach over 48,000 households of families and individuals living at or below the poverty level. The Hope Mobile provides an immediate solution to those communities that have great need - but short supply - of nutritious food. In addition to food, the Hope Mobile provides a wider range of services such as cooking demos, seasonal recipes, SNAP outreach and other services that increase health, well being, and self-reliance.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 662-4884 to book your appointment.

Address :

1 Helms Cove Ln,
Penns Grove, NJ 08069.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Penns Grove

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

Puerto Rican Action Committee of Southern NJ

Emergency food services for individuals and families. Distribution Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 12:00noon & 1:00pm - 3:30pm

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 299-5800 to book your appointment.

Address :

114 E Main St,
Penns Grove, NJ 08069.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Penns Grove

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

First Assembly of God Hands of Love Food Pantry

Hands of Love will be open the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Each family who needs assistance will be allowed to visit our pantry ONE time per month. We want to let you know that Hands of Love is a ministry of First Assembly of God. Hands of Love is here to serve low income families in our area. We recently were approved to give government commodity foods. Those receiving these foods must meet the eligibility requirements.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 935-0060 to book your appointment.

Address :

430 Route 45,
Salem, NJ 08079.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Salem

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

Oasis Kitchen

The Oasis Kitchen is a ministry of Spirit Life Fellowship that serves the people of Salem community and surrounding areas who are poor or who have run into hard times temporarily. We are 100% supported by donations from companies to individuals and every person who serves in the Oasis Kitchen is volunteer who believes in our cause. We serve hot and nutritious lunches from from 12:00 – 1:00pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 935-1815 to book your appointment.

Address :

424 E Broadway,
Salem, NJ 08079.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Salem

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Salem

King's Things Food Pantry

The King's Things Food Pantry distributes perishable and non-perishable items to residents of East Greenwich, Logan, South Harrison, Swedesboro, and Woolwich who are in need. Food vouchers are provided to recipients, allowing them to receive additional perishable items from local food stores. Baby and child care items are offered when available. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, the pantry offers holiday programs including: A food voucher program for guests to buy the necessiteis for a Thanksgiving dinner; Full holiday meals (ham or turkey included) for families in the service area during Christmas. Guests must come in and fill out an application form. Proof of residency, proof of income, and a photo ID are required. Distribution Hours: Monday's, Wednesday's, Friday's & Saturday's 10:00am - 3:00pm

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (856) 467-3066 to book your appointment.

Address :

1402 Kings Hwy,
Swedesboro, NJ 08085.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Swedesboro

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Gloucester

Drive-thru Food Pantries

Since the start of the coronavirus, drive-thru food pantries have become the safest, most efficient way to provide food to our struggling neighbors.

Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?

Drive-thru pantries are open for anyone who needs help getting food. There are no eligibility criteria. Visitors do not need to provide any identification or income statements.

Only two piece of information is asked

  • You Zipcode, and
  • Number of people in their family.

You dont need to take appointment. Drive-thru pantries are first-come, first served so plan to arrive early.

How do drive-thru pantries actually work?

There are lot of volunteers help at Drive-thru food pantries. While not all drive-thru pantries operate in the same way, here�s how most work:

Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the parking area.

Visitors pull up to the pantry in their car and are usually guided into a clearly marked queue. As people move through the pantry, staff will continue to move the cars forward to get everyone through as quickly and safely as possible.

Checkin.

You are required to fill some information for Pantry's recording keeping.

Food is loaded into the cars.

Pre-packed bags of food, usually full of shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats are loaded by volunteers into the trunk of the car.

Pet Food Pantry

One in four pet owners who give up their pets to a shelter say it is because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet Food Pantries are designed to fill the void in the nation�s current assistance programs that exclude the purchase of food and supplies for family pets.

The Pet Food Pantry provides free pet food, for 3 months or less, to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in Salem, New Jersey

Who are eligible for Pet Food Pantry

Pet Food Pantry helps people who are:

  • All ages, races and marital status
  • Unemployed or underemployed
  • Retired, living on social security or other limited income
  • Physically or mentally disabled
  • Experiencing homelessness or housing instability

Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry

Show up early.

This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.

You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.

Remember all documentation.

Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.

This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.

It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.

Use several food banks.

Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.

For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.

Eligible for other programs?

Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.

They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.

Ask about extras.

If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.

Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.

Go on different days of the week.

Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.

Be polite to workers.

Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.

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 pantry?

Specifically, food banks often need items like:

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

3. Who can go to food pantry?

At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.

4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?

A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.

5. How does a food pantry work?

Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.