Support of ‘Building Healthy Futures’ campaign will help alleviate hunger in 55 counties

Des Moines, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2023) — The John Deere Foundation today announced a gift of $2 million to support Food Bank of Iowa’s “Building Healthy Futures” capital campaign, funding the vital expansion of its Des Moines distribution center. This commitment is added to nearly $270,000 in unrestricted funding that the John Deere Foundation has already provided this year to Food Bank of Iowa.

The 30,000-square-foot addition will allow Food Bank of Iowa to readily accept larger donations, purchase food more cost effectively, and improve safety and efficiency.
The $11 million project nearly doubles the food bank’s storage capacity at a time when the need for food assistance has never been higher. Food Bank of Iowa and its partners are serving 75% more monthly visitors than just 18 months ago.

This is the food bank’s first expansion since moving to its current facility in 1999.

“As a matter of principle, we believe that all families who live, work and learn in the communities we call home deserve the dignity and security of nutritious food,” said Laura Eberlin, global social responsibility lead at John Deere. “Food banks provide this dignity and security, and the expansion of Food Bank of Iowa will create a stronger food system to ensure that no Iowan will go to bed hungry.”

“We are beyond grateful for the steadfast support Food Bank of Iowa continues to receive from the John Deere Foundation,” said Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book. “This transformational grant will impact countless lives and help us to address food insecurity for years to come.”

For 75 years, the John Deere Foundation has been an active and committed participant within John Deere’s home communities by providing direct grants to nonprofit organizations and activating John Deere’s workforce. Many of its notable investments aim to end hunger, including this latest grant, which has allowed Food Bank of Iowa to reach 88% of its capital campaign goal for the new addition.

More than $9 million has been raised from more than 50 generous individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations. Other donors and friends interested in helping to complete this critical expansion project can visit the Building Healthy Futures campaign page to learn more.

About Food Bank of Iowa
Established in 1982, Food Bank of Iowa provides nutritious food for Iowa children, families, seniors and veterans to lead full and active lives, strengthening their communities. Serving 55 of Iowa’s 99 counties, Food Bank of Iowa delivers more than 21 million pounds of food (17.6 million meals) to its 700 partners annually. Learn more at www.foodbankiowa.org.

About the John Deere Foundation
The John Deere Foundation helps bring to life John Deere’s higher purpose – “We run so life can leap forward” – through investments that allow the people we serve to overcome the challenges they face today and create for themselves paths to a more prosperous tomorrow. The foundation has committed at least $200 million from 2021-2030 to unlock economic, social and environmental value for smallholder and resource-constrained farmers, marginalized families and youth in John Deere home communities, and our workforce. Learn more at https://about.deere.com/en-us/our-company-and-purpose/global-impact.

Media contact
Annette Hacker, VP communications, Food Bank of Iowa, 515-867-2885, ahacker@foodbankiowa.org