The ROI of a Food Bank Client
United Food Bank and Services
When people hear the term “ROI,” Return on Investment – they think of financial portfolios or business strategies. But at the United Food Bank and Services, we know that the most meaningful ROI isn’t measured in dollars alone – it’s measured in the lives that are changed and the families and communities that are strengthened.
What’s the real return on helping ONE food bank client?
Imagine a single parent, Maria – who walks into the food bank for the first time. She’s working two part-time jobs, caring for two young children, and struggling to make ends meet. Without consistent access to food, she’s forced to make impossible choices: rent, groceries, children’s activities, electric, car.
When Maria receives food and household supplies from our food bank, United Food Bank and Services, serving East Hillsborough County, she’s not just filling her pantry, she’s buying time, stability, and breathing room. That support gives her the chance to:
- Show up to work on time without worrying about lunch or dinner.
- Help her children focus on school because they’ve had breakfast.
- Reallocate her limited resources toward bills, transportation, or job applications.
This is where the ROI becomes tangible.
The Numbers Behind the Impact
For every $1 donated, the United Food Bank and Services can provide up to $7 worth of food thanks to partnerships, bulk purchasing, and volunteer power. That’s a 700% return right off the bat.
But it goes even deeper…
When a food bank client is supported with consistent access to nutritious food:
- Healthcare costs drop. Food-insecure individuals are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Access to healthy meals can reduce medical visits and long-term care needs.
- Children do better in school. Well-nourished children have better attendance, improved concentration, and higher academic achievement – all of which increase their long-term economic prospects.
- Workforce participation rises. Adults facing food insecurity are more likely to miss work or struggle to find stable employment. Food support helps bridge that gap, improving job retention and economic self-sufficiency.
The benefits are long-lasting – and they translate into reduced healthcare costs, improved educational outcomes, and stronger economic participation.
Each food bundle provided to our members can yield $40- $50 in long-term economic benefits in reduced healthcare, improved education, less evictions and crime, and increased productivity. Multiply that by thousands of food bundles served each month, and you start to see the extraordinary ripple effect.
From Relief to Resilience
At its core, food banking isn’t just about hunger relief – it’s about building new resilience. When we invest in one client like Maria, we invest in her children’s future, her ability to contribute to her workplace, and her role in a thriving, connected community.
The ROI is real. And it’s powerful.
Join the Investment
Every dollar you give, every hour you volunteer, and every can of food you donate is an investment in someone’s future. It’s not charity – it’s strategy. It’s not a handout – it’s a hand up.
So, the next time you think about ROI, remember Maria. Remember the thousands like her who, with just a little support, can do extraordinary things.
Together, we’re not just feeding people. We’re fueling potential.