With the help of more than 61,000 food pantries and soup kitchens, food banks provide some 46 million people with free food each year. ... Tens of millions of volunteers regularly support the system by donating time and money.

Are food banks helpful?

Why It's Better to Give Cash Than Canned Goods

Because food banks work with manufacturers and grocers, they can obtain food at far less than the cost you pay at the grocery store. Feeding America says that every dollar donated can help secure and distribute 12 pounds of food—that's about 10 meals.

Is it better to give food or money to food banks?

The answer is that your food donation is definitely helpful, but you shouldn't forget about giving cash as well (if you can). ... In addition, food banks are able to look for discounts and purchase food at wholesale, which means they are able to get more out of that dollar than a person shopping retail probably could.