Founded in 1967 by John van Hengel, St. Mary's Food Bank, the world's first food bank, was based on the simple concept that some people are hungry while others have an abundance of food. Donated food from the community is collected by the food bank and distributed through a network of social services agencies. The agencies that receive this food serve tens of thousands of men, women and children every day through congregate meals or food boxes. The Food Bank also offers a variety of services to the community in the form of food boxes delivered to the elderly and handicapped, food distributions at schools and in low-income areas as well as a program that offers food boxes at an affordable cost to those experiencing hardship.