Although you may have seen otherwise—food banks and food pantries aren’t the same. Food banks such as Northern Illinois Food Bank collect food from food drives and other industry partners to log, store, and distribute it amongst smaller organizations in their community. They’ll give this food to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries. These places need affordable, healthful, and long-lasting food to keep their neighborhoods well-fed for a higher quality of life. So while food banks and individuals donate to food pantries, food pantries put food right in the hands of local consumers. This may be done during a walk-in, drive-thru, or mobile order from a DeKalb County food pantry. Food pantries don’t just stop at food. They can also provide clothing, diapers, hygiene products, and more. Although different, food banks and food pantries work together closely to ensure families get enough food.