User:Qic187/Food Pantries

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A food pantry, or food shelf is a location that distributes free food to directly to individuals and families. Distributed goods can include grocery foods, pre-prepared foods, and other household necessities (e.g. toiletries, paper products). Food pantries may be based in communities on a permanent or temporary basis or operate as mobile ventures. Eligibility to become a client or shopper of a food pantry varies by organization and group, and criteria can include residence, household income, participation in federal benefits programs, and referrals. In certain regions, food pantries are an integral part of a charitable food system that includes food banks that consolidate and distribute foods to client-facing entities, such as food pantries and soup kitchens. Whereas in other regions, food banks interact directly with individuals and families to provide charitable foods.