Latest news with #FoodBankofIowa
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
All 99 Iowa counties face increased food insecurity, survey reports
DES MOINES, Iowa — Results released from an annual study show that all 99 Iowa counties reported increased food insecurity. Feeding America holds an annual Map the Meal Gap survey, which estimates food insecurity and costs for better resource allotment and cost estimation. A survey released Wednesday showed that every Iowa county reported increased food insecurity in 2023. The results show that 1 in 8 Iowans and 1 in 6 Iowa children endure food insecurity. The report states that an estimated 385,000 don't know where and when their next meal will come from. Unemployment insurance tax, other bills sent to Gov. Reynolds' desk Annette Hacker, Food Bank of Iowa Strategy and Communications Vice President, says these results are just confirming what they have already seen. 'We know there's no ceiling in sight for at least another couple of years because we have continued to see record numbers of Iowans facing hunger and coming to our partner pantries for food access in record numbers every single month since April of 2022,' said Hacker. Of the 99 counties, 11 have more than 20% of children reporting food insecurity. While more students qualify for free school meals each year, children face a several-month gap over the summer. 'That is shocking, and it should deeply concern all of us. We don't want to be a state where there's not enough food for our children. They are our future,' said Hacker. 'Also, the ten hardest hit counties in Iowa are largely rural, many in southeastern Iowa.' With the school year wrapping up, the Food Bank of Iowa is preparing for summer meal programs. The Governor's office and Food Bank are working together on her 'Healthy Kids Iowa' program, which provides $40 a month for children 4-18 years old who are below the federal poverty level. All 99 Iowa counties face increased food insecurity, survey reports Unemployment insurance tax, other bills sent to Gov. Reynolds' desk Bison baby boom! New stars bring visitors flocking to Neal Smith NWR Iowa veteran credited with ending the Vietnam War 50 years ago shares his story Iowa lawmaker believes DCI geofenced State Capitol to prep for sports betting investigation Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mutual Aid Rally draws hundreds to State Capitol, benefits food bank
DES MOINES, Iowa — A Mutual Aid Rally drew hundreds to the State Capitol in support of the Food Bank of Iowa and to donate supplies for those in need. The Food Bank of Iowa's funding was cut by the Department of Government Efficiency last month. Now, the Food Bank is trying to continue providing the 55 counties they serve with food and hygiene products. Anti-Trump protesters rally in New York, Washington and elsewhere across the country Items gathered during the rally included canned goods, hygiene products, household items, and various other home goods. 'They're frustrated. With the president, with all the bad stuff happening in the world, and they want to give back to the community,' said Heaven Chamberlain, a protester. 'We did not expect all these people. We expected a handful of people. The stuff we got, I think thousands of stuff.' The gathering eventually turned into a protest against the Trump Administration and Elon Musk. 'There's so many people that are just as deeply frustrated with this as me. But at the same time, it's also sad, because so many people are frustrated,' said Chamberlain. 'We shouldn't be in this position where we have to come out every other week and have these massive rallies.' The rally was put on by the Iowa Coalition and 50501 Iowa, which is a grassroots political organization that stands for 50 protests …50 states …one movement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 Remarkable Women honoree has been revealed
The impact Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book has made for so many Iowans suffering from food insecurity is impressive. Her efforts to combat the growing need for food support in Iowa are being recognized as she is named the 2025 Remarkable Women honoree. Watch the video above to see Michelle's reaction after learning of the honor. You can find out more about all of Michelle's accomplishments and what led her to the Food Bank of Iowa in the video below. You can watch the stories of more local Remarkable Women here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michelle Book's legacy of feeding hungry Iowans
DES MOINES, Iowa — Michelle Book is remarkable in many ways. She's been a hog farmer, a single mom, and a CEO; and she's responsible for taking the Food Bank of Iowa from one of the worst-performing Feeding America food banks in the country to one of the best. Under Book's leadership, food distribution increased by more than 200%. She took transportation from three broken-down trucks to a fleet of 20 vehicles that made it possible to get food to people where they are. Volunteerism increased by more than 600%. More stories: Local Remarkable Women Those who nominated Book for our Remarkable Woman award wrote about her leadership skills and business acumen, but also her kindness and generosity. Book says the latter is what she hopes her legacy will be. 'I hope at the end of the day, people remember me as somebody who cares about others, somebody who cares about their neighbor in need, and that they'll embrace what we've built here and that they choose to carry it forward.' \ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
No snow days for these Des Moines angels
DES MOINES, Iowa — We know the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry: they're a group of angels. Loving Iowans who take it upon themselves to buy, make, and deliver food and supplies to Des Moines' homeless out on the streets and in camps around the city. We're talking about the people who don't go to shelters. They're outside — even in this weather — and so the Ministry is, too, every Thursday night. On this particular Thursday, the basement of the Capitol Hill Lutheran Church was positively buzzing — like a hive of fluorescent-clad worker bees. They cooked food, made sandwiches, packed bags, folded up warm clothes and sleeping mats, and then loaded it all into waiting vans. 'We'll make 800 burritos, 400 turkey and cheese sandwiches, 400 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; and we'll also hand out fruit, water,' says volunteer, Robby Collier. Large donation of eggs made to the Food Bank of Iowa Since they don't use their customary bikes to make the deliveries in the winter, they can actually carry more supplies on their routes, which reach out to all corners of Des Moines. 'The last few weeks,' Collier says, 'we've been averaging about 420 people a night. It's down from our summer numbers. In the summer we'll be close to 550-600 people, but even in the winter, we'll serve over 400 people each night.' Some live in low-income housing and value the extra calories and connection. Others are completely unsheltered, living out in the open along streets and rivers. All welcome the sight of Ministry volunteers. 'They look for us,' Collier smiles. 'They see our bright, yellow shirts and the holler 'Burrito slingers!' and we come running to them, and offer radical hospitality one burrito at a time with grace, love, respect, and hope … and a hug.' The Ministry works every Thursday over at the Capitol Hill Lutheran Church in the East Village —they'd love to have more volunteers. But they'd also love to have any blankets or warm clothing that you may not need anymore. You can find them at or on Facebook and Instagram. Metro News: No snow days for these Des Moines angels Large donation of eggs made to the Food Bank of Iowa 1 injured while trying to put out garage fire in Des Moines Multiple crashes reported on I-80 in West Des Moines Des Moines officers were justified in deadly January shooting, county attorney says Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
