Bay Area Food Banks acquire millions of pounds of food for distribution by collecting donated food through community food drives, by trucking in donated surplus groceries and fresh produce from manufacturers, wholesalers and produce growers, and by purchasing selected food items that are needed for food assistance programs in the community. We depend on thousands of volunteers to help us sort, pack and deliver food.

Though most of our food is donated, we are able to obtain purchased food at low cost so that every dollar donated goes even further. In addition, each food bank serves targeted geographic areas, which prevents duplication of food distribution efforts and makes us highly efficient in providing nutritious food to adults, seniors and children who are in need.

Food banks are successful at reducing hunger because of tremendous local support. We depend on donors who generously give money and food, volunteers who sort and pack food in our warehouses and distribute bags of groceries, and advocates willing to speak to public officials and the media about solutions to hunger. Your help is needed more than ever as thousands of people in our community are living on the margins, barely holding on.