The objectives of this study were to (a) examine the users` characteristics of both government-dominant and nongovernmental food bank programs, (b) understand the supporting quality of the food bank program, and (c) analyse the effectiveness of the programs from the users` perspectives. The random samples of 120 food bank operators were selected by proportionate stratified random sampling method and from each food bank, 3 users were selected for the survey. A total of 205 users were participated in this survey. The main results of this study were as follows; Average profile of food bank users were 58 year old, female, livelihood protectee (56.6%). Food assistance frequency were mostly once a week (34.1%), and everyday (22.4%). The survey also showed that non-governmental food banks delivered the food directly to the 42.7% of users, otherwise the users of government-dominant ones went to the food bank to receive the foods. Most of the donated foods were cooked food (50.0%), and the users also wanted to receive that kinds of food. Saving food expenses (55.6%) and overcoming hunger (16.6%) were found as the effectiveness to the users. (Korean J Community Nutrition 10(2): 224~233, 2005)