food bank

American  

noun

food banks plural

1. an agency, group, or center that collects food and distributes it to people experiencing food insecurity.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• food banks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of food bank

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

The food bank is incredibly appreciative, and it makes us feel like we’re making a difference in the lives of people we’ll likely never meet.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 20, 2026

On a recent morning, Ana Alvarez waited in a line of vehicles at a St. Mary’s food bank in Phoenix.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2026

Her office has allocated $1 million of discretionary funding to host four large drive-through food distribution events with the food bank as well as a handful of smaller giveaways.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

"With gas this high, I go to the food bank now, more so than ever," the retiree told AFP.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

As they set the kayak down next to a big garage door, Patience explained that her community food bank had been an auto mechanic’s shop before she’d had taken it over.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz