Volunteers at Iowa’s Food Banks and School Meal Distribution Sites

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the Iowans making a difference during National Volunteer Week by helping local families keep food on the table during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The efforts of each individual working to support our most vulnerable populations are commendable, and for that I am naming these volunteers Iowan of the Week.

National Volunteer Week, observed April 19-25 this year, provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of giving back to our communities. Volunteerism, even in its simplest forms, has the power to be transformative; this is something Iowans know to be true. Our values of hard work, selflessness, and contributing to build a stronger community are reflected in the way Iowans lead their daily lives. While we may shine a light on volunteerism this week, Iowans engage in giving back year-round.

As communities across my district face the devasting impacts of COVID-19, we’ve seen a significant rise in the number of individuals turning to food banks for support. In the past few weeks, the pandemic has caused an historic leap in unemployment. Families’ budgets have become more strained and those who were already food-insecure have been pushed to their limits. And while schools remain closed, we’ve faced growing concerns for children who rely on their school meals for their daily nutritional needs.

In the last two weeks of March alone, the DMARC Food Pantry Network saw more than 1,000 people make their first-ever visit to the pantry. That is quadruple the number of first-time users DMARC recorded during the first half of March.

Amidst those sobering statistics, we’ve also seen men and women step up in droves to lend their time, talent, and resources to keep others from going hungry. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the workers and volunteers at food banks and school meal distribution sites in central and southwest Iowa.

Time and again in recent weeks, I’ve seen Iowans take action to make sure their neighbors have safe access to essential nutrition. Volunteers are not only donating food at increased rates, but are also putting on masks and gloves and showing up at their local food banks to assemble thousands of meals for delivery to those who need support or can’t risk leaving their homes. Food Bank of Iowa had 570 volunteers dedicate just shy of 3,000 hours last month even with the new restrictions on how many volunteers can be in the facilities at one time. 

Volunteers have donated hundreds of masks to be used by drivers and others working in the pantries. One group of 15 volunteers turned 3,000 tee shirts into totes that Food Bank of Iowa now uses to distribute food. And the organization’s BackPack sacks and bags that are distributed to children across its service area have been filled with inspirational cards made by families at home.

Our schools have also worked tirelessly to continue to provide meals for their students now learning at home. Des Moines Public Schools, the largest school district in Iowa, has successfully banded together district employees and dedicated volunteers to distribute 18,000 meals Monday through Thursday, plus 54,000 meals on Fridays, to ensure its students aren’t trying to learn on an empty stomach.

I stand before you today humbled, yet again, at the perseverance of my constituents in Iowa’s Third District in the face of this pandemic. Iowans have continued to rise to the occasion and support those in need, even at the risk of their own health. I started Iowan of the Week knowing we would never face a shortage of incredible people to highlight, and this pandemic has brought out even more everyday heroes who deserve recognition. It is my privilege to honor the workers and volunteers of Iowa’s food banks and school meal distribution sites as Iowan of the Week.