WHAT IS A FOOD BANK?

A Food Bank is a charitable organization that solicits, acquires, inventories and warehouses donated and purchased food and groceries that it then distributes to frontline hunger-relief programs within its service area. A food bank adheres to food industry standards and governmental regulatory laws and statutes for safe food handling, sanitation and distribution. There are 200 food banks in the Unites States and all are members of Feeding America, the national food bank network.

WHAT IS FOOD BANK for WESTCHESTER?

Food Bank for Westchester is the supply and support center for over 200 hunger-relief programs in our service area, Westchester County. Our member programs include food pantries, soup kitchens, day-care centers, residential shelters and other programs. Food Bank for Westchester distributes more than six million pounds of food each year to these member programs, supplying 95% of the food they use to feed our hungry neighbors. As primary supplier to frontline programs, the Food Bank is the backbone of Westchester County’s emergency food-distribution network. We are one of New York’s eight food banks, a founding member of the Food Bank Association of New York State, and a member of Feeding America, the national food bank network.

WHEN WAS FOOD BANK FOR WESTCHESTER FOUNDED?

Food Bank for Westchester was incorporated in 1988 as a not-for-profit 501(C)(3) organization under the name “Food -- People Allied To Combat Hunger, Inc.” We did business as Food PATCH until 2006 when our name Food Bank for Westchester was adopted.

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE FOOD BANK FOR WESTCHESTER?

Our mission is to lead, engage and educate Westchester County in creating a hunger-free environment.

IS THERE A GREAT NEED FOR FOOD BANK SERVICES LOCALLY?

Yes! In Westchester County, there are currently over 200,000 people – more than 20% of the population -- who are hungry or at risk of hunger. Nearly half of them are seniors; approximately one-third of them are children under age 18.

WHAT SERVICES DOES FOOD BANK FOR WESTCHESTER PROVIDE?

The primary functions of Food Bank for Westchester are acquiring and warehousing food and distributing that food to local frontline hunger-relief programs. We also provide technical services to member programs and conduct two direct-service programs. Here are details about our services:

• FOOD ACQUISITION: The Food Bank for Westchester solicits and acquires food and groceries in warehouse quantities that we store and repack to fulfill member agency orders each week. We get foods through two different means: purchase and donation.     

             -- Purchased Food: Through our bulk-buying program, we purchase food and groceries in truckload quantities from

             various sources around the country. We seek out the highest quality at the best price.

             -- Donated Food: Perishable and non-perishable foods are acquired through donations solicited by Feeding America,

             the national food bank network; through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); through local distributors

             and manufacturers; through our Food Recovery Program, where we acquire prepared and perishable food from local

             restaurants, institutional cafeterias, and supermarkets that is donated rather than thrown away; through the public via

             food drives; and through our Food Growing Program, in cooperation with the Westchester County Department of

             Correction, Muscoot Farm, and local youth-services agencies.

• FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Food Bank for Westchester distributes over six million pounds of food and groceries annually to our 200-plus member programs, including a million pounds of fresh produce and eggs. We deliver 10 to 12 tons of food per day in our three trucks and one van, and we warehouse thousands more pounds of food that member programs pick up from us daily. Through Project Green Thumb, we distribute 1,200 bags of locally grown produce along with a bilingual English-Spanish nutrition/recipe flier each week. Through our monthly Hearty Helpings Meat Program, we distribute fresh meat and fish at 1/3 retail price to anyone who wishes to participate in the program. Through BackPack Buddies, we provide healthy food for children to take home on Fridays for the weekend. Through Kid’s Cafe, we provide hot, nutritious meals and nutrition education to school-age children after school.
• SERVICES TO MEMBER PROGRAMS: Food Bank for Westchester provides technical assistance to member agencies that includes: facility and organizational management; resource development; funding for food acquisition, operations support, and equipment; safe food handling and sanitation; and nutrition education.
• DIRECT-SERVICE PROGRAMS:                                                                                                                  

             -- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps) OUTREACH: We assist seniors, the

             homebound, and Spanish speakers in applying for and receiving food stamps.

             -- STEPS works with low-income women with children, helping them take steps toward self-sufficiency.

HOW LARGE IS THE STAFF OF FOOD BANK FOR WESTCHESTER?

Food Bank for Westchester has 22 full-time employees and one part-time employee.

WHO AND WHERE ARE THE MEMBER PROGRAMS OF FOOD BANK FOR WESTCHESTER?

Food Bank for Westchester’s members include more than 200 qualified programs, including food pantries, soup kitchens,

day-care centers, residential shelters, and other direct-service programs. The majority of our member programs are located in lower Westchester and in Westchester’s cities -- Mount Vernon, New Rochelle,Peekskill, White Plains, and Yonkers – and in the villages of Ossining and Port Chester. An additional 23 towns and villages throughout the county also have at least one program that is part of the Food Bank’s hunger-relief network.

WHO SUPPORTS THE FOOD BANK?

Food Bank for Westchester relies on a generous network of volunteers, funders and food donors who give time, money

and food to help us accomplish our mission.

• VOLUNTEERS serve on our board of directors, help us plan and conduct fund-raising events, hold food drives, repack bulk food and groceries in our warehouse, and conduct their own fundraising and awareness campaigns.
• FUNDERS include corporations, foundations, individuals, local organizations, and government.
• FOOD SUPPLIERS AND DONORS: Food Bank for Westchester uses donated dollars to purchase food and also acquires food through donations.

FOOD BANK AFFILIATIONS

Food Bank for Westchester is a member of Feeding America, the national food bank network, and the Food Bank Association of New York State. Feeding America membership requirements include: maintaining food industry, federal and regional standards in all areas, including food handling and warehouse sanitation, record-keeping, inventory control, financial accountability and recipient-program monitoring. Food Bank for Westchester is inspected by the USDA, the NYS Department of Agriculture, the Westchester County Health Department, Feeding America, and the Corporate Inspection Team recruited from the food industry.