Freedom from Hunger sets record for collection

Thanks to outstanding community support again this year, the 10th Annual Freedom from Hunger Community Food Drive exceeded its goal of collecting enough food and cash donations to provide 110,000 meals for those who are hungry in our community! This year, the Freedom from Hunger effort collected enough food and cash donations to provide 148,386 meals (food and cash equivalent to 178,064 pounds).

“Because the Freedom from Hunger food drive is directed at fighting hunger during the summer months when demand peaks and supplies dwindle, as soon as the food comes into the warehouse, it goes right back out the door to our partner agencies and groups serving those in need,” said Amanda Pieper, director of the HACAP Food Reservoir.

Sixty-one area companies or organizations 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 early August and also included food drop-offs at Cedar Rapids Kernels games.

Twenty-two food assistance programs were the beneficiaries of this year's effort, receiving a portion of the food collected.

Last year, Freedom from Hunger collected food and cash equivalent to 100,540 pounds – enough to provide 77,338 meals.

BankIowa, the Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust, the United Way of East Central Iowa, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, HACAP Food Reservoir, the Linn County Continuum of Care Planning and Policy Council, KCRG's Show You Care Sponsors and area Veteran organizations sponsored or supported this year's Freedom from Hunger food challenge.

2012 participants were recognized at an awards ceremony held at the HACAP Food Reservoir on September 28, 2012. Over Freedom from Hunger's 10-year history, 189 unduplicated organizations have generated food and cash equivalent to 744,352 pounds of food for area food assistance programs, enough to provide 620,293 meals to those who are hungry in our community!