CommUnity’s Project Holiday returns for 35th year

IOWA CITY — CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank is preparing for its 35th annual holiday food distribution.

The annual event provides the necessary groceries for Johnson County families to make a traditional holiday dinner. Project Holiday will distribute the ingredients to nearly 1,500 families in the area.

This is the first time where prior registration will not be required to receive a meal, the organization announced. Meals will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

“The hope is that eliminating registration will increase the accessibility of Project Holiday and provide meals for more local families,” said Krystal Kabela, CommUnity’s food bank manager.

The food bank saw a 36 percent increase in people receiving food this quarter compared to the same time frame last year, according to Kabela.

There were 38,262 visits to the food bank in fiscal year 2022 — an increase from fiscal year 2021 when the nonprofit reported 31,367 visits, according to the annual reports.

With rising food costs and lower barriers to receive a meal from CommUnity this year, staff anticipate they will distribute more meals than in previous years.

This year’s meals will include a main protein — turkey, plant-based turkey substitute or beef — in addition to ingredients for side dishes.

Emma Huntzinger, CommUnity’s communications manager, said the food bank has experienced numerous food supply challenges this year.

“The Food Bank staff have been working for months to ensure we will have access to the foods we have available,” Huntzinger said.

Project Holiday distribution will take place at CommUnity’s Food Pantry in Pepperwood Plaza, 1045 Highway 6 in Iowa City. Food can be picked up through Saturday, Dec. 17 during regular hours.

The food bank is open noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday; noon to 4:30 p.m. on Friday; and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Meals can be ordered for delivery for those unable to pick up in person.

CommUnity is accepting donations from the community to help with food costs and is also looking for volunteers. A $30 donation will help purchase a complete holiday meal for a local family.

“Support from the community is more important than ever this year,” Julia Winter, director of development, said.

Donations can be made online through Dec. 31.

A wide range of volunteer opportunities are available, including stocking shelves, helping clients carry grocery bags and making deliveries.

More information about volunteering or donating can be found online at builtbycommunity.org/project-holiday.

Comments: (319) 339-3155; izabela.zaluska@thegazette.com