FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can the hungry get food at the food bank?

No, not directly. The food collected and warehoused at Gleaners is distributed to charities that feed the hungry...places like food pantries, soup kitchens or shelters. These charities receive food and critical grocery items from Gleaners and give it to those in need.

How does Gleaners get food?

All the product distributed by Gleaners is donated; some of it comes from the community....individuals, schools, businesses... all sharing what they have with those who have less. Other items come from the food industry; mislabeled, overproduced, test market items and products with short code dates are examples of foods which come to Gleaners for distribution to charities that feed the hungry. Gleaners regularly asks for these donations so more people can be fed. Gleaners also "reclaims" products. The dented cans and crumpled boxes that are pushed aside at the grocery can be cleaned and sorted by volunteers to provide food pantries and soup kitchens with a variety of food and household products. Many of these items are not donated through other channels. USDA Government products are also made available to user charities.

Does Gleaners buy food?

No, although some food banks are trying special purchase programs, Gleaners has avoided competing with itself by buying food that otherwise could have been donated. America's Second Harvest, the national food bank network, is studying purchase programs to see how donations are affected.

Does Gleaners sell food?

Gleaners does not, and in fact cannot, sell food. Moreover, our agencies cannot charge the final recipients, the hungry, for food bank products. Gleaners can be likened to a cooperative. User charities help defray the food bank's operating costs by contributing up to 14 cents per pound "shared maintenance". They also contribute volunteers or other support, like equipment, materials or food. Over three-fourths of the food is distributed prepaid through gifts from the community. Expenses that are not covered by gifts from the community are contributed by user charities. Gleaners' goal is to keep shares to a minimum.

Can we come and see how food banking works?

Yes! We encourage you to come! Seeing how the food is processed will give you a much better idea of how your donations are being used. Just give us a call to set up a tour and see for yourself how food banking is helping to feed the hungry in our community! Contact Sloan Shockley at 317-925-0191 ext. 118 or via email at sshockley@gleaners.org to schedule a tour!