Advocates hope film on food insecurity inspires community to talk about hunger

Hunger isn't an issue that only affects strangers in a faraway place.

“It's not in third world countries exclusively; it's not in poor areas or big cities,” said Jenifer Angerer, marketing manager for New Pioneer Co-op. “It's right here. It's in Iowa.”

That's why Angerer says New Pioneer Co-op helped sponsor The Englert's screening of “A Place at the Table,” a documentary following three Americans who deal with food insecurity , meaning they don't have access to three meals a day.

Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap shows more than 14 percent of Johnson County residents – 18,480 people – were food insecure in 2011. In Linn County more than 12 percent – 25,790 people – experienced food insecurity that same year.

Sarah Benson Witry, food bank and emergency assistance director at the Crisis Center Food Bank in Johnson County, said the films exploration of the economic and social implications of hunger is real.

“It really puts a face on the issue…it's not numbers, it's actual families and really spends in-depth time in a way an organization like ours couldn't achieve because they're documentarians,” Benson Witry said.

She said the food bank served more than 11,600 people in fiscal year 2013 and visits to the center have increased 12 percent.

The Linn Community Food Bank served 11,303 people in 2012, said Holly Becker, the food bank's president.

Becker and Benson Witry said on top of an increased need in services, they also have to deal with increasing prices of the food they purchase for their food bank.

“It's become very challenging to have enough food, to have the types of food that are helpful to families and to be able to distribute them effectively,” Benson Witry said.

Ellen Fisher, a local advocate for reducing hunger, said this weekend's screening also comes at a politically relevant time.

The U.S. House recently passed a farm bill after separating farm policy and funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – food stamps. The previous version included a $20 billion reduction in funding for food nutrition programs over the span of a decade while the Senate's version had a $4 billion reduction.

Fisher said she's concerned reductions in federal support would place a strain on the efforts of charitable organizations. The Cedar Rapids resident said she'll be at the screening and hopes the film encourages people to call their congressman.

“We can't food bank our way out of hunger,” she said.

Angerer said addressing food insecurity must be a community-wide effort.

“We all have to be active participants in this,” she said. “Everyone deserves good food, not just the wealthy.”

Event

A panel discussion will follow the film screening and includes representatives from Table to Table, Field to Family, the Crisis Center of Johnson County, Free Lunch Program and New Pioneer's Soilmates.

What: “A Place at the Table” film screening

Where: The Englert 221 E. Washington St.  Iowa City

When: Sunday, July 28  3-6 p.m.

Admission: Free with suggested cash donation or of non-perishable food

The event is sponsored by The Englert, New Pioneer Co-op and FilmScene