Frequently Asked Questions

Does the National Hunger Clearinghouse give out food?
We do not give out food ourselves, but we can connect you to agencies in your area that do.

What is the difference between a food pantry, a food bank, and a soup kitchen?
A soup kitchen provides prepared meals—usually in a cafeteria setting—to low-income individuals. A food pantry distributes food for home consumption. A food bank collects and redistributes food to soup kitchens, food pantries, and other agencies that provide food to low-income individuals.

What are government commodities?
Government commodities are foods intended to supplement the diets of low-income individuals. The government purchases and redistributes the food to emergency food providers, such as soup kitchens and food pantries. The food, which generally includes cheese, peanut butter, rice, and canned fruits, vegetables, and meats, does not provide a complete diet, but it does supply nutrients that are often lacking among low-income populations. There are two USDA programs that distribute government commodities. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) operates in every state and serves anyone who meets the income requirements. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) does not operate in every state and only serves eligible seniors, women who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or up to one year post-partum, and children under the age of six.

What are the eligibility requirements for receiving emergency food?
Unlike federal nutrition programs, emergency food providers do not have an established set of eligibility guidelines. Some provide food to anyone who walks through the doors, while others adhere to certain rules. Individuals should contact the provider directly to learn the guidelines.

What does gleaning mean?
Officially, gleaning refers to the recovery of abandoned crops that would otherwise be left to rot in the fields. More broadly, it refers to the collection of both perishable and nonperishable foods which are then redistributed to individuals in need.

What do I do if I cannot locate any resources on the NHC Database?
You can call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY, and we will assist you in a more specialized search.