Freedom from Hunger asks for more participants as demand for food assistance rises

More and more Linn County residents are seeking food assistance. Because of this trend, Freedom from Hunger organizers are asking for additional employers to get involved in this year's food drive.

“Since this is our 10th year for the drive, we would like to see the number of participating employers increase by 10,” said Amanda Pieper, director of the HACAP Food Reservoir and co-chair of the Freedom from Hunger planning committee. Last year, 67 area companies participated in the effort.

Pieper noted that, “Summer time is typically when we see food assistance reserves decline, so it's vitally important that this year's Freedom from Hunger drive is a successful one.” Last year, the Freedom from Hunger Community Food Drive set a record by collecting enough food and cash donations to provide 77,338 meals or 100,540 pounds of food for area food assistance programs. The drive takes place at area businesses and community events from June to August.

There are 54,270 area individuals who, at one or more times in a typical week, are short of food. Each month, more than 10,000 requests are made for food assistance in our area. The Freedom from Hunger effort is directed at fighting hunger during the summer months when demand peaks and supplies dwindle. Thirty-three assistance programs received a portion of the food collected.

BankIowa, the Linn County 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 and area Veterans, are again teaming up to sponsor this year's Freedom from Hunger food challenge.

Any individual, employer or organization interested in sponsoring or participating in this year's food drive may contact the following individuals for more information.

Contacts:

Amanda Pieper (319) 393-7811

Ann Hearn (319) 892-5609

Dave Gosch (319) 295-2908