3,800 individuals received fresh produce, eggs and chicken yesterday.

Since January 2020, food insecurity has doubled in Iowa, tripled for households with children. To help provide relief for Iowans impacted by COVID-19, Prairie Meadows sponsored a Food Bank of Iowa distribution on September 29 at Iowa State Fairgrounds. 32,158 pounds of food was distributed in four hours. 

All food distributed from Food Bank of Iowa is always free to food insecure Iowans. Local volunteers set up a safe, socially distant distribution system where nutritious food was placed directly in the cars of visitors. Visitors did not need to exit their cars to receive food.

Food insecurity—insufficient or unreliable access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy, active life—interrupts lives, livelihoods and learning. Even before the pandemic, Feeding America found nearly 70% of food-insecure households chose between purchasing food and paying for utility bills, and 66% chose between food and medical care. Today the need is greater. Food insecurity levels are not expected to peak until 2024 and to not recede to pre-recessionary levels until 2027.   

“It is critical Food Bank of Iowa continues to find innovative, collaborative ways to put food on the table of Iowans struggling to make ends meet,” said Michelle Book, CEO of Food Bank of Iowa. “We are proud to have partners like Prairie Meadows who help us reach more Iowans.”

A recent Prairie Meadow’s grant will help Food Bank of Iowa fight food insecurity in Polk County. Working together, metro families will receive more access to nutritious food. Check Food Bank of Iowa’s website to stay current on upcoming distributions.

“Giving back is at the core of our efforts,” said Gary Palmer, President/CEO of Prairie Meadows. “We take great pride in working toward ensuring that the most basic of needs can be met for central Iowans. Partnering with an organization like the Food Bank of Iowa helps address the immediacy of the issues today, while serving as a catalyst for recovery and growth in the future.”

Any organization or individual interested in sponsoring a mobile food distribution may contact Food Bank of Iowa to find opportunities in their community. Find volunteer, donation and advocacy information at FoodBankIowa.org.

 

About Food Bank of Iowa

Food Bank of Iowa exists to make certain Iowans do not go hungry when times are tough. Food Bank of Iowa sources food, a majority of which is free and reduced-cost, for Iowans in need by leveraging bulk purchasing power, key retail food rescue relationships, and USDA commodity food, The food bank keeps the food safe and delivers it to 630 partners—including community, church and school pantries, backpack schools, after-school programs, senior meal sites, veterans agencies, homeless shelters and rehab sites—who then distribute food to children, seniors, veterans and hard-working Iowans. Food Bank of Iowa serves 55 counties, covering big cities and small towns across 30,000 square miles.

To learn more, visit www.foodbankiowa.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foodbankiowa.

 

About Prairie Meadows

Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes, grants, and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given more than $1.9 billion to the state of Iowa, Polk County, City of Altoona, City of Des Moines, and Polk County Schools, and numerous other local and state charities. Prairie Meadows offers nearly 1,100 slot machines, table games, sports wagering, live and simulcast racing, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.