Hunger-Free Holidays 2022

Des Moines, Iowa (Nov. 30, 2022) – KCCI-TV’s third-annual Food Bank of Iowa Hunger-Free Holidays telethon on Giving Tuesday raised $436,832 to help Iowans facing food insecurity. That translates to more than one million meals.

Donations will continue to be accepted through Dec. 31 at hungerfreeholidays.org.

KCCI viewers gave online, over the phone and via text messages. Their generosity could not have come at a more critical time, said Food Bank of Iowa President and CEO Michelle Book.

Record need now

“For the past several months Food Bank of Iowa and its 700 partners in 55 counties have continued to break records in the number of individuals and households served,” Book noted. “We are challenged to meet rising need at a time when resources have decreased. More of our hardworking neighbors need help now than ever before. We are buying nearly triple the food we did last year at this time to keep the shelves stocked. It costs significantly more, and it costs more to deliver it to our partners.”

Book thanked KCCI for its ongoing partnership in the fight against hunger, as well as corporate sponsors who provided matching gifts for this year’s Hunger-Free Holidays campaign.

“On behalf of our fellow Iowans who will have food on the table this holiday season and beyond, we are grateful for your support,” Book said.

“KCCI’s viewers have proven their generosity once again,” said KCCI President and General Manager Brian Sather. “One way we define ourselves as Iowa’s News Leader is by serving the community. That’s why we are proud to use our platforms and storytelling to bring people together to help our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Special telethon gift

One of the biggest surprises of the day was a $100,000 gift from Des Moines philanthropists Nix and Virginia Lauridsen.

Corporate sponsors

Corporate sponsors for the 2022 Hunger Free Holidays campaign include:

Osmundson Mfg. Co. – $100,000 match
In addition to supporting Food Bank of Iowa’s BackPack Program and school pantries in Perry and Jefferson, Osmundson Mfg. Co. also provided a $100,000 matching gift for this year’s KCCI telethon.

“Food insecurity is one of the worst issues we face in this country, and it’s getting worse in Iowa,” said Osmundson Mfg. Co. President Heather Bruce. “It’s your neighbor, it’s people you go to church with, it’s the kid who comes over to your house. Making sure people in our local communities have enough to eat is one of the best things we can possibly do. We are honored to have this opportunity to sponsor Hunger Free Holidays.”

Corteva Agriscience – $75,000 match
Tim Glenn is executive vice president of Corteva Agriscience’s Seed Business Unit. He also serves as vice chair of Food Bank of Iowa’s board of directors.

“Hunger continues to be a very real issue here in Iowa,” Glenn said. “One in seven working Iowa households can’t afford basic necessities. That’s why it’s important that we join with Food Bank of Iowa and KCCI to support Iowans in need. Corteva is pleased to donate $75,000 to Hunger-Free Holidays as a match on Giving Tuesday.

“This isn’t just a seasonal activity for us. In the last two years, Corteva has contributed a quarter-million dollars to Food Bank of Iowa. We designate a portion of that specifically so that Iowans can have hunger-free holidays.”

Anonymous donor — $10,000 match for achieving 50 monthly donors
An anonymous donor from Clive donated $10,000 once Food Bank of Iowa reached 50 new monthly donors during the KCCI telethon.

F&G Annuities & Life – $100,000 match continues through year-end
The Hunger-Free Holidays campaign continues, and there’s still time to donate at hungerfreeholidays.org. Thanks to a $100,000 match from F&G, all gifts will be doubled until Dec. 31.

“F&G believes in addressing the challenge of food insecurity and has donated $300,000 to Food Bank of Iowa over the past three years. Our mission is to help more and more people turn their aspirations into reality, but we can’t do this if basic human needs, such as food, aren’t addressed. We are proud to partner with Food Bank of Iowa again and sponsor the Hunger-Free Holidays campaign to ensure the essential needs of our community are met,” said Chris Blunt, F&G president and CEO.

Media Contact

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

About Food Bank of Iowa

In its 40th year, Food Bank of Iowa provides food for Iowa children, families, seniors and veterans to lead full and active lives, strengthening the communities where they live. Serving 55 of Iowa’s 99 counties, Food Bank of Iowa will deliver nearly 20 million pounds of food to its 700 partners in calendar year 2022.

To volunteer, donate and learn more, visit foodbankiowa.org.