What is a Food Bank? By definition, a Food Bank is a not-for-profit clearinghouse that collects, stores and distributes useable surplus food to non-profit organizations, not individuals, who in turn, provide the foods to the people they serve. We utilize a warehouse with both dry and cold storage, trucks and a full-time staff. The Food Bank helps stop the waste of useable food by distributing it to the needy. Donated foods may come from over-production, underweight products, mislabeled containers, outdated products, improperly coded packages, partially damaged goods, discontinued lines, over-stocked merchandise, farm surplus or other sources.Additionally, we receive assistance nationally as part of the Feeding America national network of 205 Food Banks which include the twelve Food Banks in Ohio that make up the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks.
How does the Food Bank work? We collect and distribute food to our three county service area. Food producers, brokers, wholesalers, retailers and community food drives all participate in directing food to us. A 1976 tax law allows many of these sources to write off the entire cost plus half of their markup for donations to the Food Bank. Products can be delivered to our warehouse or we can schedule a pickup at the convenience of the donor. Non-profit agencies that receive products from us are able to conduct their feeding programs in a cost-effective manner, since no donated food is ever sold by the Food Bank or by receiving agencies. Participating agencies support the Food Bank operations through a shared-maintenance fee, based on the pounds of food they receive.
Who uses the donated food? Annually, approximately 3 million pounds of food are shared with over 109 local feeding programs. We only distribute food to not-for-profit organizations such as food pantries, soup kitchens, group homes, non-profit nursing homes, non-profit day care programs, halfway houses, elderly day care programs, developmental centers or emergency shelters.For more information call (937) 323-6507 and learn how you can help! Or check out the latest NEWSLETTER here: NEWSLETTER The Project Jericho Mural In the spring of 2009, a collaboration between the Second Harvest Food Bank, Feeding America, and Project Jericho was formed to transform an old unused maintenance building on the corner of our lot into a landmark mural for the city. The eight vignettes depict the stages of the food bank operation as it addressed hunger in the community. Across the top of each section are the core values of the organization. Adorning the top are 27 flags, 9 US and 18 Feeding America. If you haven't seen it, the location is the corner of Murray and East Columbia at the split of state 4 and 40. To view the project from start to finish click HERE !
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
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This program was established as a Federal food and nutrition program for seniors. Distribution of a FREE 40 pound box of food is scheduled once a month for registered seniors.
C.S.F.P. Registration Guidelines
- Must be 60 years or older
- Resides in Clark, Champaign, or Logan County
- Show proof of age, income and residency
- Income Guidelines are as follows:
1 person - $1,174 or less per month 2 persons - $1,579 or less per month 3 persons - $1,984 or less per month 4 persons - $2,389 or less per month (each additional add $405 per)
Open enrollment is again taking place. If you are not currently receiving the commodities, call the office in your county listed above and sign up!