A food bank is a place where food, both non-perishable goods and perishable goods like fresh produce, frozen items, and baker products, are offered to nonprofit agencies for distribution to people who may not be able to afford food. These agencies are typically non-profit organizations or run as part of a church or community outreach group. A food bank is like the wholesale arm of the food distribution system for those living in poverty. Other agencies are the retail arm and serve people directly. The term "food bank" is not protected by law, however, and is sometimes used by these agencies directly serving those in need of food.Food banks often get the food from companies or supermarkets with unsaleable stock, and also from donations from the general public, especially around holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition, the US Government and state governments often contract with food banks to distribute USDA surplus commodities. In addition, food banks who are members of America's Second Harvest, the nation's food bank network, are able to take advantage of relationships with major manufacturers. Instead of calling the more than 200 food banks across the country, a manufacturer with several semiloads of product to donate can make just one phone call.The first food bank was St. Mary's Food Bank, started in 1967 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Jax Partner With Oregon Food Bank For Kids Day (OurSports Central)

PORTLAND, February 1, 2008 - Nearly 20 percent of Oregonians have needed assistance from Oregon Food Bank. Many of those people are children as well.

Business Briefing (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Secor of Redmond sold to Edmonton firm ... Housing slump sends Potlatch profit down ... Wal-Mart adopting global safety standards ... AT&T gets approval for coveted airwaves ... French inquiry expands to investor in U.S. ... Hawaiian Airlines to buy 12 new Airbuses ... plus new top officers and shipping news

4imprint one by one(SM) Charitable Program Awards 277 In-Kind Grants in 2007 (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)

OSHKOSH, Wis.----4imprint is now accepting applications for the 2008 one by oneSM charitable giving program. For the third year in a row, the online and catalog promotional products retailer will award a $500 in-kind grant every business day of 2008 to a charitable organization in the United States or Canada.

Seair releases first quarter results (CNW Group via Yahoo! Finance)

Seair Inc. today released its unaudited financial statements for the quarter ending November 30, 2008.

Quick Money Sunflashes Column (Calgary Sun)

The Canadian economy created an abundance of high-paying, high-quality jobs last year to offset the loss in the battered manufacturing sector, says a new study by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.