The Food Bank provides food to its member agencies in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. If you are in need of food, click here.
Click here to see agency listings.
General Requirements for Membership
• Your organization must be designated a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization by the federal government.
• Your organization must be located in an area of need. The Second Harvest Food Bank reserves the right to review the concentration of existing programs in your neighborhood and may make a recommendation to partner with an existing program.
• Your programs must be in operation and open to the public for a minimum of 3 months prior to applying for membership.
• In accordance with federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, agencies must not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or lack thereof, age, disability or any other characteristic that is protected by law.
• Your organization cannot require any fees for meals or pantry bags of food. All products must be distributed at no charge to recipients, with no suggested or implied donation amount or volunteer requirement. Participation or attendance in a religious service or ministry in order to receive food or a meal is not permitted.
• The member agency must be financially viable with provisions in place for on going financial support of their program.
Storage Guidelines
• Programs must have adequate dry storage, freezer and refrigeration space at the site of the distribution to ensure food is properly stored until it is prepared or distributed.
• All food products must be stored according to safe food handling procedures. Dry products must be 6” off the floor and 18” from the ceiling; pallets and shelving may be used. This also includes walk-in coolers and freezers. Non-food items must be stored separately from food.
• Program personnel must maintain appliances at proper temperatures and have thermometers in each storage area. Temperature logs must be kept for the refrigerator, freezer and dry storage area to ensure proper storage. All appliances must be located at the distribution site.
• Program personnel must be capable of loading and transporting product from the Food Bank warehouse in a manner that ensures safe handling and maintain safe temperatures for food. The member agency must have adequate help to pick up product at the Food Bank.Other Considerations
Other Considerations for Becoming a Member Agency
• Agencies cannot operate any part of the food program out of a private home. All food must be stored, prepared and distributed at a site approved by Second Harvest Food Bank.
• Pantries and hot meal programs must offer at least a once-a-month grocery distribution or a free community meal. The program must publicize its presence and the days and hours of operation in the community. Second Harvest Food Bank can suggest appropriate outreach methods if needed.
• Member agencies distributing USDA/TEFAP and/or OFP (Ohio Food Program) products must distribute according to state and federal program guidelines.
• Each program must maintain a filing system for Food Bank paperwork to be kept for 3 years and made available upon request. Regular service statistics must be submitted monthly, summarizing how many people were served during the previous month.
• Fees paid to the Food Bank must be drawn from the 501(c)3 organization’s checking account.
• Key program personnel/volunteers must attend a Safe Food Handling workshop.Application Process
Submitting an Application for Membership
• Organizations must submit a completed membership application and provide proof of their 501(c)3 status with the application.
• If the application is approved, a physical site inspection will be conducted before membership is granted.
• Once membership is granted, program representatives must attend a Food Bank orientation for new agencies.
Contact to Begin Your Application
If you have further questions about membership and to request an application, please contact Kim Brock in the Agency Relations Department at 330-792-5522, ext. 107, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
