The Food Bank of Iowa distributed 2.7 million pounds of food across 55 counties last November. It expects to distribute at least 2.5 million pounds this November.
JOHNSTON, Iowa —
Food pantries across central Iowa are preparing for a busy November as demand remains high and more families seek help.
At The Johnston Partnership, volunteers restock shelves at least three times a week. Oftentimes, by the next day, executive director Andrea Cook says you can’t even tell the shelves were recently restocked.
“After we’re open again tomorrow, it will all get depleted and we need the next round coming in,” said Cook.
Last November, during a government shutdown that affected people’s SNAP benefits, the pantry served just shy of 740 families, setting a record, Cook said. The pantry then set records during two months this past summer, serving around 800 families.
“This past summer, we’ve broken it twice already,” said Cook. “June and August were record-breaking months, and this month is on track to break those as well.”
The Johnston Partnership accepts food and monetary donations. Cook said donations help the pantry provide consistency for people who come through.
“We just want to make sure that everybody who comes — no matter when they come — are going to get a consistent amount of the same stuff and they know what they can expect when they come,” said Cook.
WayPoint Resources in Waukee is also seeing more families seek help.
“People are feeling the pinch with inflation and with the higher gas prices,” said Julie Lins Robeson, WayPoint Resources’ marketing development manager.
WayPoint typically sees its regular number of clients and about two new families a day. Recently, that number has increased to three or four new families a day.
“They make enough money to get by, but not enough to get all of their basic necessities covered. So those are the types of people we’re seeing,” said Lins Robeson.
The organization offers holiday programs. There’s a gifts for kids program, where families will sponsor a family and all of their kids. There’s also a holiday food box program in December and a program for Thanksgiving food.
“There’s a special section that’s just Thanksgiving items. They can pick all the Thanksgiving items that are pertinent to their family’s dietary needs,” said Lins Robeson.
Lins Robeson said even small donations can help.
“Anything you can do, any small donation, any food donation, it all helps because cumulatively this community just really gives and it makes a huge difference,” said Lins Robeson.
The Food Bank of Iowa distributed 2.7 million pounds of food across 55 counties last November. The organization expects to distribute at least 2.5 million pounds this November, and possibly more.
If you’re looking to donate or volunteer with The Johnston Partnership, you can find information here.
Information on donating or volunteering with WayPoint Resources can be found here.
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