The Houston Food Bank is the largest food bank in the United States in size and distribution. We serve a network of more than 1,600 community partners in 18 southeast Texas counties, including food pantries, soup kitchens, meal sites and shelters.

These were the beginnings of the world's first food bank. John van Hengel founded St. Mary's Food Bank in 1967. He had been volunteering at a local soup kitchen, serving dinner to those in need when a young mother told him that she depended on soup kitchens and food from grocery store dumpsters to feed her children.

One of the ways food bank institutions are funded is through donations from businesses, organizations, and individuals. To be specific, food pantries receive donations from businesses in a few ways. One way is that businesses may donate food that is about to expire or is not fit for human consumption.

You can ask Citizens Advice to refer you to a food bank. They'll usually make an appointment for you to discuss your situation with an adviser first. The adviser will ask you some questions to check you're eligible for the food bank. If you're eligible, they'll give you a voucher for your nearest food bank.