by Luke Welch, Food Bank Coordinator
When I first stepped into this role in 2020, we were preparing to move from a small space in the back of our administrative office to an 11,000 square foot location in southern Iowa City. I remember pushing bags of groceries to clients through the window to maintain social distancing while ensuring our neighbors were fed.
While we’re no longer handing bags of food out through the windows, the reality is, food needs in our community have only increased. Inflation has had a huge impact on us, stretching our resources to their limits. Each year since 2020 we have seen a record number of individuals and families seeking assistance from our pantry. Demand is through the roof, and the need for our services only continues to grow.
As the need for food assistance in our community continues to increase, our need for volunteers increases, as well. Without the invaluable contributions of our food bank volunteers, we would not be able to operate at the level we currently do. However, we need more help to ensure local kids have access to food this summer break.
Every day, our volunteers dedicate their time and energy to ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry, but we need more helping hands to keep up with the summer rush.
They say it takes a village, and let me tell you, our village is pretty darn awesome. Each and every one of our volunteers brings something special to the table. I feel lucky to know each and every one of them.
If you have ever volunteered at CommUnity Food Bank, thank you! Our entire team is so grateful for your support. Time is precious, and we appreciate you spending your time making a difference in our neighbors’ lives.
If you haven’t volunteered with us before, we would love to meet you! On average, just one fully-staffed volunteer shift provides about 65 local families with groceries for the week. Whether it’s sorting food donations, packing meal boxes, or assisting clients
with warmth and empathy, your contributions make a tangible difference in the lives of local families.
