By Krystal Kabela, Food Bank Manager
As the manager of CommUnity Food Bank, I’m worried about the increasing need for food in our community, especially during the summer months.
For many kids in our community, school meals may be the only meals they get in a day. However, when summer break begins, kids lose access to school meals, leaving families struggling to fill the gap. To make matters worse, this past winter the state of Iowa declined federal funding that would have provided summer food assistance to children already eligible for free and reduced-price school lunch programs.
Families who were already struggling must now stretch their limited resources even further to feed their children. As a result, we have seen a significant increase in the number of families turning to our pantry for support. We are currently serving upwards of 1,300 families per week at our pantry. To anticipate a significant increase in that number is a scary reality that we are facing, and we’re not able to meet the need at our current level of donations.
No child should ever have to go hungry.
As a food bank, we are committed to meeting the needs of our community to the best of our ability, but we can’t do it alone. We rely on the support of generous donors, volunteers, and community partners to feed our neighbors.
Now, more than ever, we need the support of our community to ensure that no child goes hungry this summer.
There are several ways you can help:
- Donate to Strike Out Hunger: Whether it’s food items, monetary contributions, or volunteering your time, every donation makes a difference. Your generosity can help us provide essential food assistance to families in need.
- Advocate: Speak out about the importance of food assistance programs and the need for funding and support. Urge policymakers to prioritize the well-being of vulnerable children and families.
- Volunteer: Join us in our efforts to distribute food to those in need. Whether you can spare a few hours or a few days, your time and dedication are invaluable in helping us serve our community.
- Spread the word: Share information about our food bank and the services we provide with your friends, family, and networks. The more people who are aware of the need, the more support we can provide for hungry kids.
Together, we can make a difference. We need all hands in to ensure that no child goes hungry this summer. Let’s come together as a community to support those in need and build a brighter, healthier future for all.
Thank you for your continued support.
