Meaning:

Literally translated from the English name “food bank,” this refers to storage and distribution depots where donated food can be picked up by those in need — similar to how “banks” store money for future use. This type of hunger relief effort was started by a man named John van Hengel from Phoenix, Arizona, the United States. Van Hengel’s original idea came from his observation of a mother forced to provide for 10 children on her own, who rummaged through grocery store garbage bins for food. She suggested that there should be a place where food could be stored for people to pick up rather than going directly to bins. Van Hengel in 1967 established St. Mary’s Food Bank, the first of its kind. This term made headlines this week in the Chinese media after reports surfaced that Futian District has set up a food bank with 10 outlets, serving the needy and the disabled as well as sanitation workers who drudge outdoors in hot weather.

Example:

A: 听说福田区很多地方有食物银行？

Tīngshuō fútiánqū hěnduō dìfāng yǒu shíwù yínháng？

Is it true that there are food bank outlets in parts of Futian?

B: 是的，低收入人群、环卫工人都可以网上预约免费领取。

Shì de，dīshōurù rénqún、huánwèi gōngrén dōu kěyǐ wǎngshàng yùyuē miǎnfèi lǐngqǔ。

Yes. Those from low-income families and sanitation workers can apply online and pick up the free food.