National Food Bank Day is observed worldwide every first Friday of September to celebrate charitable organizations that combat food insecurity and hunger. The day was founded by St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in 2017 to mark its 50th anniversary and to honor the contributions of food banks, staff, and volunteers globally. The first food bank, St. Mary’s Food Bank, was established in 1967 in Phoenix, Arizona, by John van Hengel, who later helped create a nationwide network of food banks. On this day, individuals are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items, volunteer at local food banks, run food drives, or host fundraisers to support these organizations. The Global Food Banking Network connects food banks in over 40 countries, with Feeding America serving as a key partner in the U.S. Today, food banks assist around 42 million people in the United States alone.