Food Bank of Iowa
Food Bank of Iowa
2220 E. 17th Street
Des Moines, IA 50316
515.564.0330
515.564.0331 fax
www.foodbankiowa.org
Food Bank of Iowa
Vision
A hunger free Iowa.
Mission
Alleviating hunger through food
distribution, partnership
and education.
Affiliations
Feeding America
Iowa Food Bank Association
Food Bank of Iowa
 Programs
 BackPack Program™
 Fresh Produce Project
 Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH)
 Mobile Pantries
Food Bank of Iowa
The facts
* 1 in 8 Iowans are food insecure
* 1 in 5 children do not have enough to eat
* 408,280 Iowans live at or below the
poverty line
* 8,879,850 pounds of donated grocery
products and USDA commodities were
distributed in FYE 6/30/12
Food Bank of Iowa
BackPack Program™overview
* Started in Little Rock, Arkansas
* National program designed to lessen the consequence of
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chronic childhood hunger
Chronically hungry- uncertain of having, or unable to
acquire, enough food to meet basic needs on a regular
basis
Sacks contain kid-friendly, nutritious food for the weekend
No cost to family or school
Food Bank of Iowa started in 2006 with one school serving
24 children
Food Bank of Iowa
BackPack Program™ today
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Currently partnered with 66 schools
Approximately 2,800 children served per week
Serving children in 15 counties
Community partners include:
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Churches
Rotary Clubs
Businesses
Hospitals
local community members
Many others!
Food Bank of Iowa
BackPack Program™ Sack Contents
* Weekly menu
* 2 breakfast items
* 1 main dish
* 2 100% fruit juice boxes
* 2 fruits
* 1 snack
* 1 pudding cup
* 2 milks
* 1 high-protein peanut butter cup
* Direct cost of food per sack- $3.70
Food Bank of Iowa
“Backpack Buddies has been a tremendous help and relief to our
family. Times are hard and it seems like the biggest struggle is having
enough food. My daughter has always been healthy and loves
school, but I notice a dramatic difference in behavior when she isn’t
hungry and she doesn’t have to worry about getting enough to eat.
Thank you.” - Mother of Backpack Buddies child
“The first Weekend Backpack delivery went wonderful! The kids
were ELATED! Yesterday when I came to school, 5 of my ‘frequent
flyers’ who came to see me with headaches or tummy aches never
came (all were part of the backpack program). I did have kids come
to my office for a different reason … to tell me about their weekend
and how they loved the food.” –school nurse
Food Bank of Iowa
“It made a HUGE difference in the way they came to school
Monday. They were happy and ready to learn. IT IS SIMPLY
AMAZING! I wish I could put into words what I saw … it is a
pale sullen face coming into the school building on Monday
changed into a smiling face with a sparkling eye. Literally, it is
giving a child, ‘Hope’!” – Backpack Buddies site coordinator
“Thank you for giving me the food so I can have breakfast and
lunch in the morning and afternoon, and a snack.” – Backpack
Buddies participant
Food Bank of Iowa
 How to help
 Donate funds
 Donate food
 Host or participate in a local food drive
 Volunteer
 Advocate for strong nutrition programs
 Tour the Food Bank of Iowa