Freedom from Hunger sets record for food collection

Thanks to continuing community support, the 9th Annual Freedom from Hunger Community Food Drive collected enough food and cash donations to provide 77,338 meals or 100,540 pounds of food for area food assistance programs. This year's goal was to collect enough food to provide 60,000 meals or 78,000 pounds of food for those who are hungry in our community.

“The donations were critically important at a time when emergency food assistance programs are seeing dramatic increases in demand,” said Barb Elsasser, executive director of the HACAP Food Reservoir. “As soon as the food hits the warehouse floor, it goes back out to agencies and pantries.”

Sixty-seven (67) area companies or organizations (also a record number), and several individuals, rose to the challenge to maintain and expand this important food drive. This year's effort took place at area businesses during late June, July and August and also included food drop-offs at Cedar Rapids Kernels games.

Last year, Freedom from Hunger raised 72,535 pounds or 36.26 tons of food for area food assistance programs.

In Linn County, nearly 4,300 households sought emergency food assistance in May. The Freedom from Hunger effort is directed at fighting hunger during the summer months when demand peaks and supplies dwindle. Thirty food assistance programs received a portion of the food collected.

BankIowa, the Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust, the United Way of East Central Iowa, the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Clear Channel Radio, HACAP Food Reservoir, the Linn County Continuum of Care Planning and Policy Council and area Veterans sponsored or supported this year's Freedom from Hunger food challenge.

Participants were recognized at an awards ceremony held at the HACAP Food Reservoir on September 23, 2011. Over its 9-year history, Freedom from Hunger has generated 565,583 pounds or 282.79 tons of food for area food assistance programs, enough to provide 435,063 meals!