SURPLUS FOOD IS COLLECTED AND REDISTRIBUTED THROUGH A NETWORK OF CHARITABLE AGENCIES, PRIMARILY FOOD PANTRIES AT CHURCHES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, ETC. A TOTAL OF 16,258,456 MEALS WERE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. FOOD IS ALSO DISTRIBUTED THROUGH MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES, WHERE FOOD IS GIVEN TO PEOPLE IN NEED DIRECTLY OFF OUR VEHICLES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE AREA. THERE WERE 846,670 MEALS DISTRIBUTED ON 415 MOBILE PANTRIES THIS YEAR. THE BACKPACK PROGRAM TARGETS CHRONICALLY MALNOURISHED CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED LUNCHES AT SCHOOL DURING THE WEEK, BUT DO NOT HAVE FOOD TO EAT OVER THE WEEKEND; 3,000 CHILDREN RECEIVE 6 MEALS FOR 35 WEEKS FOR A TOTAL OF 616,176 MEALS. (102,696 BACKPACKS DISTRIBUTED)
