Traditionally, a food bank does not distribute food directly to those in need. Instead, food banks serve an extensive network of organizations in their respective communities. These organizations serve one part of the community and know the needs of the people there. Therefore, working together, the food bank and the community organization can serve a greater number of people in the most efficient way. The Northern Virginia branch of the Capital Area Food Bank.
Food banks are the center of food collection and distribution for poor people in a community.
The Capital Area Food Bank that serves the Washington Metropolitan area operates a 48,000 square foot warehouse in Northeast Washington and a 16,000 square foot warehouse in Northern Virginia. More than 600 community organizations form the Capital Area Food Bank's network, which distributed 15 million pounds of food in 1998. Not only is food provided, but an organization that saves money on food can use its surplus cash to provide more services to its clients. Many food banks provide other services. They range from after school feeding programs, including Kids Cafe, to community agriculture projects.