food bank

American  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of food bank

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

The Affordable Food Shop in Okehampton, Devon, also allowed people who would normally depend on the town's food bank to choose items for free using credit vouchers, rather than relying on pre‑packed parcels, bosses said.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

At times, she hasn’t received fruit in the boxes she receives from the food bank.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

A security guard told her the agency wasn’t doing in-person interviews, so she headed to a food bank instead.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

The food bank said more than two-fifths of people who come to them make only one visit a year but 17% return six times or more.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

She left a note telling me she was going to spend the day reorganizing the food bank.

From "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Saenz