The Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank is a food bank with a difference. Besides helping people put food on the table, it also feeds people’s desire to be accepted as capable, contributing members of their community.

This commentary describes the principles according to which the Food Bank operates and the cooperative structure through which it puts these principles into practice. The paper also presents the numerous programs and services sponsored by the Food Bank.

In cooperation with Opportunities 2000 and other community partners, the Food Bank has undertaken several projects that address people’s employment and income needs. Among these is an on-site personal and employment counselling service and a pre-employment program for women.