Gregg and Book delivered shelf-stable products to pantries while concluding Gregg’s 99 County Tour.

COVID-19 has been devastating for Iowans, especially those already dealing with food insecurity. Many people lost work hours or employment altogether due to the economic response to the pandemic.  Financial struggles lead to tough choices between paying for food or housing, transportation and medical treatment.

With the help of CARES Act funding, the Feeding Iowans Task Force purchased bulk food product, including quinoa, black beans, pinto beans and oatmeal, which was repacked by volunteers into family-sized portions and delivered across the state to pantries who serve food insecure Iowans.

Each year, Lt. Governor Adam Gregg travels to all of Iowa’s 99 counties. As he wrapped up his 2020 tour, he partnered with Feeding America food banks, visiting pantries supplied by Food Bank of Iowa in Iowa’s Southwest region. Gregg was there to learn more about rural food insecurity and to deliver donations packaged by his family and food provided by Cares Act funding. 

Lt. Governor Gregg and CEO Michelle Book visited Jesus’ Right Hand (Warren County), Creston Area Food Pantry (Union County), Cupboard at New Bridge (Madison County), Lenox Neighborhood Center (Taylor County), MATURA Adams County (Adams County), Exira Christian Church (Audubon County) and Adair County Neighborhood (Adair County). They were encouraged by the work being done to help rural Iowans.

“With food insecurity double today, triple for households with children, we must continue to focus on providing more food for bare tables, especially during the holidays.” said Michelle Book, CEO of Food Bank of Iowa. “I am thankful for the efforts of Lt. Governor Adam Gregg to raise awareness and to help alleviate food insecurity in our state.”

Food Bank of Iowa fights food insecurity in 55 Iowa counties. By leveraging bulk purchasing power, key retail food rescue programs and food from the USDA, the food bank sources free and reduced-cost food for Iowans in need. After sourcing and keeping the food safe, it is delivered it to 630 partners across the state who distribute it directly to neighbors struggling to make ends meet.

 “As chair of the Governor’s Feeding Iowans Task Force, I appreciate the opportunity to learn directly from these food pantries how we can best meet their needs,” said Lt. Governor Gregg. “Michelle Book and the Food Bank of Iowa have been indispensable partners in our task force’s fight against food insecurity, and I thank Michelle for joining me.”

 

About Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg

Adam Gregg serves as Iowa’s 47th Lieutenant Governor. He serves as Chair of the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform, Co-Chair of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative, and Chair of the Governor’s Feeding Iowans Task Force. At the national level, he serves on the executive committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association, and as the Chair of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association. He has also served as a Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow focused on leadership in education policy, and was chosen for the Aspen Institute Rodel Fellowship.