It’s been a year of changes for the University of Iowa Women’s Basketball Team, with new players taking over from big names like Caitlin Clark and Kate “Money” Martin, both now in the WNBA. The squad also got its first new head coach in a quarter century, as Jan Jensen replaced Lisa Bluder, who retired […]
Food Bank
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa loses $11 million as Trump administration cuts funding for schools and food banks to buy from local farmers
Iowa will lose $11.3 million in federal funding that would have been used to buy locally produced food for schools, childcare facilities and food banks due to cuts to USDA programs by the Trump administration. “This funding was meant to build upon the $7.8 million invested in Iowa since 2022 through similar programs,” according to […]
Posted inCommunity/News
More than 150 community groups make final plea to Gov. Reynolds: Don’t refuse federal aid for food-insecure Iowa kids
As 2024 draws to a close, the Iowa Hunger Coalition (IHC) is making one final push to persuade Gov. Kim Reynolds to participate in the USDA Summer EBT for Children program in 2025. That program, also known as SUN Bucks, provides $40 a month per child to a family’s SNAP benefit card during the three […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds rejects millions in aid for food-insecure Iowa families (again), instead asking feds to fund her own ‘monthly box’ program
On Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she is again refusing to allow Iowans to participate in a USDA program that provides millions of dollars in direct assistance to families with children to help cover the increased cost of food during summer months when kids aren’t in school. “In Iowa, our focus is on the comprehensive […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
CommUnity launches campaign to help its food bank meet increased summer demand
As food banks across Iowa see demands for their services increase over summer, CommUnity Crisis Services is holding a “Strike Out Hunger” fundraiser to make sure its food bank is able to meet those needs in Johnson County. The annual summer school break is always a challenge for food banks, as kids who receive lunch […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Des Moines area food banks see a record-breaking surge in people needing assistance as June begins
Food banks always see an increase in the number of people who need help at the beginning of summer, as school vacations begin and kids no longer have easy access to the meals at school. But even with that expected increase, the surge the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network experienced this week […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Food banks will need community support as needs increase during summer
By David Leshtz, Iowa City With kids out of school, food needs always increase in the summer. Demands on local food banks will escalate even more this year, due to a shortage of state funds allocated for food assistance. Gov. Reynolds opted out of $29 million in federal assistance for low-income children this summer. If you care […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photos: Table to Table’s big potato rescue
Little Village captured photos at Table to Table’s potato packing party on Friday, March 15. The nonprofit received a donation of an entire semi truckload of russet potatoes (an estimated 58,000 pounds). Volunteers from United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties and 5224Good sorted and moved the spuds into more manageable boxes. Table to Table […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: CommUnity’s food bank needs our help
By Ellen Ballas, Iowa City Eastern Iowans: our local food bank in Iowa City needs monetary or food donations to help keep our neighbors fed. I received their email stating their donations are down and their inventory is scarce. There were “1,640 more visits to the Food Bank in January than the month prior.” Additionally, […]
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
Six days a week, 52 weeks a year, Iowa City’s Free Lunch Program continues to meet hungry neighbors where they are
An open door, a full plate, no questions asked. It’s a simple, humble mission, but for everyone involved with the Free Lunch Program (FLP), from the diners to the directors, it is less about charity than collaboration, enriching the life of both server and guest. This is a truth strongly felt by Diane Platte, one […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Olivet Neighborhood Mission seeks help restocking its food pantry
Olivet Neighborhood Mission (ONM) in Cedar Rapids put out a call for help on social media on Tuesday: supplies are running low at its food pantry. “Two of our main refrigerators are nearly empty!” the mission said in a Facebook post. “But in addition, it is hard to get several crucial food items from HACAP […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Project Holiday is providing 1,500 families in Johnson County with holiday meals
Around 1,500 families will enjoy a home-cooked holiday meal this year thanks to CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank’s 34th annual Project Holiday. Families can receive their choice of entrée, sides, vegetables and other grocery items through this Saturday, Dec. 18, at Pepperwood Plaza, 1045 Hwy 6 East, during regular food bank hours. Shari Ellis […]
