Why are Food Banks Needed?

Do you ever wonder what happens to surplus food due to over manufacturing, food that is close to expiration, food that has a damaged package or a slight blemish? It gets thrown away while many of our neighbors go without food, unless someone is willing to collect it from manufacturers, producers, stores, distributors and even farmers.

Getting food to the hungry is an ongoing job surrounded by complicated logistics. Food banks find, store and distribute food that feeds people in poverty and crisis. They accomplish this through charitable feeding programs such as emergency food pantries, group homes, day care facilities, shelters for abused women, children and homeless, residential programs for mentally and/or physically challenged, substance abuse, after-school and senior meal programs and disaster relief.

How does the Florida Association of Food Banks Impact the Economy?

The estimated wholesale value of the food distributed last year by the Florida Association of Food Banks totaled $121,700,000. This money saves government agencies and frontline charitable organizations up to 85% in food program costs.

That translates into millions of dollars of savings for thousands of charitable programs and state agencies throughout Florida. As these programs save money and stretch their budget, more children can get into day care, additional counselors can be hired, extra beds can be added to shelters, needed medicine can be bought for the ill, nutritious food can be offered and unskilled people can be trained for jobs. All of these things make Florida a better place to live, work and visit.