Maximizing resources to do the most good

Families living paycheck to paycheck have limited safety nets throughout the year; even fewer during the summer.

Compounding the issue, area charities and food pantries are often themselves scrambling during the summer to replace vacationing volunteers and diminished government support.

The need can seem overwhelming - too much for a person, organization or company to tackle alone.

Johnson County organizations have understood this for some time, and have begun collaborative efforts required for efficient response.

This month, Johnson County pantries are working together as part of a 'Thanksgiving in July” effort to restock pantry shelves. Truckloads of edible food are being shipped to pantries and shelters as part of Table to Table food rescue program. Local restaurants are working with charitable and civic organizations to donate a percentage of a certain night's profits to worthy causes. Those strong partnerships can serve as a good model for other communities looking to maximize resources and do the most good.

Although each of the counties and communities in the Creative Corridor are unique, they all could benefit from closer cooperation, especially in the form of public-private partnerships.

For example, if Cedar Rapids restaurants agreed to give 5 percent of next Wednesday's profits for utility assistance, would our vulnerable families rest a little cooler? We think they would.

Think of how many other small actions we could take to meet our communities' collective needs, which - yes - is overwhelming if we try to tackle it on our own.

The answer? Tackle those needs together - each organization and individual contributing to the larger, coordinated effort. We all have a role to play.

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