Brenda 1
Brenda Abbott holds a photo of her eldest sister, Pat Harmeyer. Brenda has continued Pat’s legacy of fighting childhood hunger through a donation to Food Bank of Iowa’s BackPack Program.

When Brenda Abbott’s eldest sister Pat passed away in 2020, Brenda knew she wanted to continue Pat’s legacy of helping others, particularly children. 

And as the beneficiary of Pat’s life insurance policy —  established by their parents shortly after they were born – she knew Pat would want her to donate the funds to Food Bank of Iowa’s BackPack Program.  

The $3,000 gift was a fitting tribute to Pat, who (with Brenda) more than 20 years ago launched a feeding program at three Des Moines elementary schools.  

Pat and Brenda donated bags of food to students in need over Christmas and spring breaks for several years. They also worked with school counselors to get the food to kids in need.  

All these years later, Brenda was drawn to Food Bank of Iowa’s BackPack Program, which provides sacks of nutritious food to 4,100 elementary students in 124 schools each week. 

“Pat was always concerned about kids being hungry. She was a generous and giving person,” Brenda said. “I know she believed in Food Bank of Iowa and contributed to the hungry in many ways.  

“Your vision to make Iowa hunger free was Pat’s vision, too. Thank you for all you do.”