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For new nonprofits
How to start a nonprofit food bank or pantry
A food pantry hands food directly to people who need it; a food bank collects and warehouses food to supply pantries. Both are usually 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
The formation is the standard nonprofit path. The food-specific work, sourcing, safety, storage, and partnerships, is what makes it real. Here is both.
Starting a food bank or pantry
| Legal structure | 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation |
| Federal step | IRS Form 1023-EZ ($275) or Form 1023 ($600) |
| Food safety | Local health rules apply to storage and handling |
| Sourcing | A regional food bank / Feeding America, grocers, drives |
| Main fixed cost | Storage and refrigeration space |
Pantry or food bank?
Decide which you are. A pantry distributes directly to families. A food bank is the warehouse behind many pantries. Most people starting out are opening a pantry.
The nonprofit part
You form a 501(c)(3) the usual way: incorporate, get an EIN, adopt bylaws, and file with the IRS. Our how-to-start guide and state guides cover it. Some pantries begin under a church or existing charity before forming their own entity.
Sourcing the food
You will not buy most of your food. Connect with your regional food bank (part of the Feeding America network), set up grocery rescue with local stores, run food drives, and look into USDA commodity programs like TEFAP through your state.
Food safety and storage
Follow your local health department's rules for storing and handling food, including refrigeration and safe-handling practices. Storage space is usually your biggest fixed cost. Food donors are generally protected from liability under the federal Good Samaritan food donation law, which encourages giving.
Volunteers and funding
Pantries run on volunteers, sorting, stocking, and distribution. Fund it through grants, food and fund drives, and local partners; see our fundraising ideas.
Ember Spark
Ember Spark is a free, step-by-step checklist for starting a nonprofit, and each step explains why it matters. In Ember it drafts your bylaws, conflict-of-interest policy and Form 1023 narrative for you to finish, and puts your filing deadlines on Ember's compliance calendar. Turn on Ember Compliance and it emails you a reminder before each one. Unlimited users on every tier.
General information for people starting or running a nonprofit, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm specifics with the IRS, your state, or a qualified professional.
Sources: IRS, charitable organizations · Feeding America · councilofnonprofits.org. Verified August 2026.