The Iowa Food Bank Association recently received a $21,000 donation from Farm Credit Services of America along with 4,200 pounds of pork from the Iowa Pork Producers Association and more than 50,000 eggs from the Iowa Egg Council. The donations were part of the Sack Hunger program in Iowa, which directly benefits the Food Bank of Siouxland.
For each quarterback sack the Iowa State Cyclones made in the 2023 football season, Farm Credit Services of America donated $1,000 to Sack Hunger in Iowa to help working Iowans who face the difficult decisions of paying their rent, mortgage, transportation or medical bills — or eating.
“Unfortunately, many Iowans must make difficult choices when it comes to food and other living costs,” said Linda Gorkow, Executive Director, Iowa Food Bank Association. “These are hardworking Iowans who simply cannot make ends meet and have to go without meals for both them and their children. That’s why the Iowa Food Bank Association works across the state to alleviate food insecurity.”
Feeding America is working to increase food access, rescue food that would otherwise go to waste and create solutions to end hunger. The Iowa Food Bank Association’s six Feeding America food banks work across Iowa’s 99 counties to procure, safely store and distribute food to those facing hunger. Donations such as the recent ones from Farm Credit Services of America, the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Egg Council help the six food banks secure meals for Iowans who would otherwise go hungry. The Iowa Food Bank Association member food banks provided more than 45 million meals to Iowans in 2023 alone.
“It’s great to be part of the Iowa Food Bank Association, because we’re able to collaborate with other food banks serving Iowans,” said Jacob Wanderscheid, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Siouxland. “As an Affiliate Feeding America food bank, it’s important that we work together to source food that then is distributed to our pantry partners across the community.”
These food banks source and store large amounts of food procured through various partnerships with businesses and individuals. This food is distributed to food pantries that then provide it to Iowa neighbors facing hunger. In Siouxland, one in 10 individuals and one in every 5 children are considered food insecure.
“We’re not only increasing collaboration among food banks serving Iowa, but we’re also advocating on their behalf,” said Gorkow. “This recently included a ‘Day on the Hill’ at the state capitol where we educated lawmakers about various policies such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that benefits those experiencing hunger across Iowa.”
Advocating on behalf of Iowa’s six Feeding America food banks, the Iowa Food Bank Association also shared information about the Iowans Feeding Iowans Act, which helps secure funding for Iowa food banks to purchase local and Iowa-produced foods to feed Iowa communities. Those funds are then matched by IFBA member food banks serving Iowa.
The Iowa Food Bank Association also partners with other organizations such as Iowa Health and Human Services to deliver programs that help Iowans facing hunger. This is how the SNAP hotline came to creation. While SNAP is available to assist individuals facing hunger, many do not apply. Iowans can call the Iowa Food Bank Association Hotline to complete and submit their SNAP application over the phone. The Iowa SNAP Hotline – (855) 944.FOOD (3663) – is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
As Iowa’s six Feeding America food banks collaborate to more efficiently serve those facing hunger, focus is placed on nutritious food that can help those with food insecurity lead healthy, productive lives.
To take action to help those facing hunger, contact your local food bank (Food Bank of Iowa, Food bank for the Heartland, Food Bank of Siouxland, HACAP, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, or River Bend Food Bank) or visit iowafba.org.