2017 Iowa Hunger Directory 2017 Edition | Page 65

Food Banks at the Center of Hunger Efforts November 20, 2014 Being a resource on hunger issues in the community has helped us to increase awareness and be a strong voice for the people we serve. The Food Bank can’t do what we do alone, it takes all of us. We have strived to not only provide food but to be a resource to educate the community that hunger does exist. As a result of this work, when it comes to hunger related issues and research, the community calls the Food Bank. When we have a volunteer need, the community answers our call. Giving the community facts, information and ways to help make a difference on how the community will respond. We have spent a lot of time letting the community know what we do and marketing our mission and the resources we have to assist in reducing food insecurity in northeast Iowa. The community wants to help and we have provided them a venue for helping. As a result, more resources are gathered so we can provide more programs and make a difference. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank continues to provide the best service we can to the community and those in need. We are only limited by the resources we are given. From starting as a food pantry providing a few thousand pounds of food to becoming a hunger relief organization that provides food to many and hunger education to the community, we continue to strive to live out our mission. We want to provide as much information as we can to the community and continue to be the resource on the hunger issue in northeast Iowa. In doing so, those who need food and who need assistance will have it because we were able to be a resource for them.” More information about the eight Food Ba nks serving Iowa is available through the Iowa Hunger Directory. Page | 64