| Free Clinic Beacon House |
| St. Petersburg Free Clinic 863 3rd Avenue N. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Phone 727.821.1200 Fax 727.821.9263 |
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Although the words are used interchangeably, basically the difference is that a Food Bank collects and
distributes food to organizations. A Food Pantry distributes food directly to individuals. The Free Clinic has
both a Food Bank and a Food Pantry. The Food Pantry is located in our We Help Services program.
2. Do you charge for the food you distribute?
No, because we receive the food at no cost, we do not charge for the food or by the pound. There are costs
to collecting, storing, handling and distributing the food, however, and supporting the operation of the Food
Bank is a constant challenge.
3. How do you cover the costs of the Food Bank?
We depend on the generosity of the community for donations. Contributions from individuals, businesses,
faith groups, and community groups help to keep our programs operating. Every gift is important and helps.
4. Is hunger on the increase or decrease?
Although food is plentiful in our country and an increasing number of individuals are fighting obesity, hunger
is actually increasing. With increasing housing costs more of a family’s budget goes for housing and
utilities and less is available for food. Wages are not always keeping pace with rising costs and that leaves
less for food. Many jobs no longer provide health benefits and when an illness occurs funds are used for
health care rather than food. Those on fixed incomes struggle to make their dollars cover all costs,
including food. Families with two working parents and young children struggle to pay for expenses and food.
5. Where can I go to learn more about the problem of hunger?
You'll find a list of additional web sites below. Click the links to learn more about hunger in the United
States.
Food Research and Action Center www.frac.org/
Center on Hunger and Poverty www.centeronhunger.org/
United States Department of Agriculture www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FoodSecurity
Although the words are used interchangeably, basically the difference is that a Food Bank collects and
distributes food to organizations. A Food Pantry distributes food directly to individuals. The Free Clinic has
both a Food Bank and a Food Pantry. The Food Pantry is located in our We Help Services program.
2. Do you charge for the food you distribute?
No, because we receive the food at no cost, we do not charge for the food or by the pound. There are costs
to collecting, storing, handling and distributing the food, however, and supporting the operation of the Food
Bank is a constant challenge.
3. How do you cover the costs of the Food Bank?
We depend on the generosity of the community for donations. Contributions from individuals, businesses,
faith groups, and community groups help to keep our programs operating. Every gift is important and helps.
4. Is hunger on the increase or decrease?
Although food is plentiful in our country and an increasing number of individuals are fighting obesity, hunger
is actually increasing. With increasing housing costs more of a family’s budget goes for housing and
utilities and less is available for food. Wages are not always keeping pace with rising costs and that leaves
less for food. Many jobs no longer provide health benefits and when an illness occurs funds are used for
health care rather than food. Those on fixed incomes struggle to make their dollars cover all costs,
including food. Families with two working parents and young children struggle to pay for expenses and food.
5. Where can I go to learn more about the problem of hunger?
You'll find a list of additional web sites below. Click the links to learn more about hunger in the United
States.
Food Research and Action Center www.frac.org/
Center on Hunger and Poverty www.centeronhunger.org/
United States Department of Agriculture www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FoodSecurity
| Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Bank |
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