SUMMER 2018

PANTRY HELPS CHILD CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY

FIRST UNITED METHODISTCHURCH COMMITS TO THE CAUSE

The term ‘have your cake and eat it too’ takes on a whole new meaning.(Learn more on pg. 7)

(Learn more on pg. 4)

How one northeast Iowa church has made a BIG commitment in the fight against hunger.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank envisions a community in which hunger is alleviated and all persons have adequate access to nutritious food. We will strive to accomplish our mission so that food security is ultimately achieved for all households.

In 198, a group of committed community people got together to form a food pantry-an organization that provided food to people who were, at the time, experiencing job layoffs. At the same time nationally, Feeding America was being organized because food was being wasted and people needed it. We were an agency that needed to provide emergency relief for food. In 2013, we moved into a new facility that would better impact northeast Iowa. Since 2013, the Food Bank has accomplished a lot, due to the generosity of many:

• We increased distribution by 62%, last year providing over 7.2 million pounds or 6.25 million meals to northeast Iowa

• We increased our Meals Per Person in Need from 72 to almost 130 • Annually, we prepare and distribute over 47,000 meals and snacks.• We serve over 2,700 families each month through our pantry and produce

pantry-all client choice• Our volunteer base has increased by 200%• To ensure we have adequate resources we continue to engage the community in

many different ways. We continue to ask for financial resources to sustain and build on what we have established, all of which focuses on the mission.

• And you have helped us gather and provide over 1.8 million meals that are nutritious, through our perishable program.

You have enabled us to provide more food resources that have enabled over 75% of our clients to be more financially stable. You have helped us do this in so many ways, not only in the past five years by investing in our building, but your continued support of what we do each and every day.

37 years ago, a group of people started an organization that they thought would go away, today we are an organization that helps provide food access to many.

• The little boy who needed a backpack, but saw a homeless man who needed it more

• The senior who only has $1,000 to live on, each month• The family, whose parent can’t work because they had to have surgery• And the member agency who is trying to stretch their food budget, so they can

provide more resources to the clients they serve.

On behalf of those we serve, thank you for what you do to help us fight hunger in northeast Iowa.

Barb PratherExecutive Director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank

Barb Prather Executive DirectorMike Knipp Director of Development

Susan Kraus Director of Network RelationsAlisha Rulapaugh Director of Comm. Engagement

Michelle Sullivan Director of Compliance & OpsShannon Bass, Network ServicesDan Bohnker, Volunteer Services

Tyler Campbell, InternJames Clay Jr, Custodian

Maddie Christensen, Volunteer ServicesJim Flood, Warehouse

Rhianna Galema, Network Relations Brent Groomes, Warehouse

Jessica Haring, Volunteer ServicesJason Haung, Intern

Bryan Helleso, Marketing Melissa Hicok, Accounting & HR

Bobbi Jacobs, DevelopmentRhonda McBride, Pantry Services

Hannah Meyers, AmeriCorps VISTATammy Morrison, Administrative Assistant

Caren Rhoads, JanitorialTom Roschen, Driver

Ron Sichra, Perishable Foods Heather Sommerfeldt, AmeriCorps VISTA

Lisa Spitler, Pantry ServicesTom Swalin, Operations

Doug Stufflebeam, WarehouseRobert Vanlengen, Warehouse

Leo White, Pantry Services Freddie Williams, Receiving

Keely Wright-Ogren, AmeriCorps VISTAEmily Yoder, Culinary Programs

26th Annual Letter Carrier Food Drive

Our Board

Our Staff

From The Director

Grant Gubbrud, ChairKirsten Arnold, Vice Chair

Cheryl Erb, SecretaryRick Jaacks, Treasurer

Linda AllenAustin BeckBob Brokaw

Houston CampbellAlly Crutcher

Ken CuttsEmily GirschGreg Greazel

Leonard Hanson

Darren D. Herum Phil Jones

Paul Jungen IIBarbara KramerCorey LorenzenMike MessererJeanne MillerLouise Scott

Sheila Wilson

Ex Officio:Reggie SchmittChris Schwartz

Sack Lunch Delivery: Spring ‘18 Edition

26th Annual Letter Carrier Food Drive

2018 Personal Care Drive

Hunger Action Month

Our Board

Our Staff

This year’s Sack Lunch Delivery had the largest number of lunches ordered, totaling 1,236 Sack Lunches. This

means that we were able to provide 40,000 more meals to hungry northeast Iowans. Thank you everyone for

ordering and volunteering!

This year’s Letter Carrier Food Drive brought in 51,937 pounds of food, totaling 44,260 meals that were

collected from the Cedar Valley area. Thank you to everyone who donated in this nation-wide event!

Summer is tough for many northeast Iowa families. Because of the additional costs associated with summer

activities, we will collect hygiene items to ease the financial burden from our clients. Learn more on pg. 5!

It’s hard to believe, but September - Hunger Action Month - is right around the corner. We will again have a calendar of events and activities you can participate in to help us spread

awareness on the issue of hunger in northeast Iowa online at: www.NortheastIowaFoodBank.org

“Fight Hunger. Spark Change.”

Walmart once again partnered with Feeding America in their nationwide “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” event

during the month of April. Our region was able to raise $54,878.37 to fight hunger in northeast Iowa!

Monday, Apr. 2nd - Monday, Apr. 30th

9th Annual Empty Bowls EventWith over 300 attendees, this year’s Empty Bowls event surpassed $25,000, totaling 100,000 meals. The night of

live music, the soup buffet, auctions and raffles was such a fun experience because of YOU! Thank you!

Friday, Apr. 6th

Thursday, Apr. 26th & Friday, Apr. 27th

Saturday, May 12th

Monday, Jul. 9th - Monday, Aug. 6th

Saturday, Sept. 1st - Sunday, Sept. 30th

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

DID YOU MISS THESE EVENTS?

Getting Involved | Past & Upcomming Events

“Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.” That’s the Waterloo First United Methodist Church (FUMC). If you’ll notice anywhere their name appears, this bold statement proclaiming that all are welcome is rarely far behind. But what does it look like in practice, or more specifically, how does it relate to volunteering?

We’ll start with an open heart - the primary obstacle many of us have to overcome before we take any action at all. But we can’t decide to have an open heart. An open heart is not a decision, but the realization of a personal sense of conviction. When we tell people that over 46,000 northeast Iowans go hungry each year, people don’t decide that that is true - they realize that it is true.

Secondly, an open mind is what takes that conviction and makes it a decision. Your heart might know the cause that it wants to fight for, but more often than not, we convince ourselves that whatever that uncomfortable realization is, it is out of our control or none of our concern. When we see people come in to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank to volunteer or to simply take a tour, that is the sign of an open mind. Better yet, when we see a group like Waterloo F.U.M.C. come in to tackle special projects (like repackaging thousands of pounds of crackers so children or seniors can enjoy a snack, that’s the sign of an open mind. An

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL MISSION WORK

open mind is your ability to take a concept that might seem as trivial as repackaging crackers, and see its impact on the lives of others because you see the bigger picture.

And finally, open doors - the gateway to reoccurring generosity and change. Repetition creates habits. And habits create habitats, or places of healthy growth and change. When you immerse yourself in an environment where you are with people who are making you a better person, your chances of creating an impact, both on yourself and the lives of others, drastically increase.

With over 72 hours in the last year alone, Waterloo F.U.M.C. has been able to use our partnership as a chance to make an impact in local mission work. If your congregation, coworkers, friends or family share these principles of “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.”, please know that you are always welcome here.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING

HONORARIUMS

MEMORIALS

UNITED WE STAND

Contact: Jessica HaringVolunteer Services Managerjharing@feedingamerica.org(319)-235-0507 ext. 116

Ingredients | Volunteers, Donors, & Advocates

David Aga by Irvin & Molly MyronAttorney Judith Benson by Harlan & Marlys HughesLinda Berch by Logan RadloffMarcia Braley by Bradford & Rhonda BraleyWayne & Alice Brown by Shelley CampbellDelza J. Brown (VanArsdale) by Redonna J. ParkerAlex Buenger, USMC by Greg & Kendra BuengerBrenda Carlson by Mary Jane MalyDeceased Family Members & Those With Me by Karon GramDon Gobeli by Steve PrescottPaul & Ardith Goings by Susan KoppmannHudson United Methodist Church by Mr. & Mrs. Edward SmithAmy Lindgren by Tony & Carolyn DietzAmy & Lee Lindgren by Rocco & Jeanine ScaturroThe marriage of Dr. Linda Fitzgeralds’ Daughter by Dr. Judith FinkelsteinMy God Parents by Cynthia & Perry ComeauNazareth Lutheran Church by James & Judy FogdallFrederic Rewoldt’s 90th Birthday by Jane Albrecht-LeeBill Robert’s Birthday by Mary MauerDelza J. Van Arsdale Brown by Redonna J. ParkerSt Paul’s UM Church Waterloo by Merrill & Claudia SilerWyatt & Cody by Donald & Nancy Lubbert

Wayne Abraham byLorettaAbrahamJim Anderson by Michael & Nan QuesinberryIvanAverhoff byMaryAverhoffAuntPaulineBarrett by Dennis & Susan ChamneyDonald & Regina Beenken by Robert & Jean BellisEarl Bellis by Robert & Jean Bellis by Mary K BellisMary Bergan by Irvin & Molly Myron

Aaron Berns by G.F. BernsQueston Boston by Judith BostonWalter A. Broten Jr. by Debbie & Walter BrotenDelza J Brown (Van Arsdale) by Redonna J. ParkerBecky Bruce by Clair & Marilyn BruceArleen Bruncheon by Marlene VaughnRalph Campbell by Ralph A Campbell Family Trust Barbara & Albert Cardamon by Larry & Barbara CardamonJudy Chelle by Jon & Wendy FooteGene Condon by Debbie & Walter BrotenHarold & Muriel Cowels by Pat KobliskaLottieCrain by Rosemary CarneyMarvin H Cue by Roberta Cue & Catherine DixonGus, Tim & Joel De Lange by Marilyn De LangeBob Delagardelle by Pat DelagardelleBonnie Derfoss by Eva SchmitzRomona Drenner byBrenda&CraigHoffmanCarol Driver by Dr. Craig DriverTerryElliott byFayeElliottAlex Etringer (Son) by Kenny & Robin EtringerGene Ewing by Jean BaconJon Fischer by Amy & Brian Etringer byBeth&JeffKoch-Ehlers byBettyFischer by Bob & Pat Biersner by Bruce by Carol & Bruce Walters byDave&KathyMartin by Deb & Spencer Wildeboer byDiane&JerryDerifield by Glen & Denise Stumberg by Hauns N. byJeff&MaureenDietz by Jerry & Sharon Zbornik by Jim & Janice Kullen Savage by Laurie Allbaugh by Linda Corbin byLynor&BillKoch-Ehlers by Michelle Danielsen by Nancy Zbornik by Rachel & Dana Jenson by Rick Niederman

by Ron & Sandy Hansen by Ron & Velda Phillips by Yvonne DugganTony Giannini by Janet GianniniDon Gobeli byStevenPrescottGene Gondon by Debbie & Walter BrotenLewis Hanna by Opal HannaTed Harms by Richard & Donna SmithDan Harrington by Rita HarringtonClayton & Frances Hilyard by Cynthia & Perry ComeauHarry & Norene Hoag by Thomas & Virginia HoagJudy Hovden by Daniel Hovden by Roger & Becky Halverson by J. Fulsaas by Dennis & Carol Tack byDouglasDeWolf&HollisLong-DeWolf by Clayton Engen by Cyndi, Megan & Benjamin AtkinsCamie Jantz by Lee Allan EberlingBrian Jobes by Rosemary JobesNorman E. Johnson by Julie JohnsonRalph Kane byJaneAlbrecht-LeeJohn KataLinich by Suzanne BembridgeCarol Kelley by Bev BirchardJames Kelley by Bev BirchardEllen Kern by Dorothy KeithJeannine M. Kline by Kathleen CondonBob Knipp by Avis Knipp SmithKenneth Knudson by Debra & James KnudsonRoger Kuennen by Roger & Germaine LangreckNorma Lund byMichael&MaryLouCottonEarl Mathis by Gail MathisRosemaryMatt byJeff&LoisMattOrville & John Mauer by Mary MauerJoyce McKinley by William T. McKinleyMike & Lynn Millar by Ruth MillarJudi & Sheree Miller by Ron & Karla Harn

Mother & Father by Janice RuhsCharles Neil by Eunice & Timothy NeilDorothy Nicholas by Jan Van MeterTadd Nichols by Barbara NicholsSteve Niles by Carol Niles & Amy MurphyBettyNims by Vicki RowlandEthan Nissen by Lucas & Kalyn JohnsonCal Paulsen by Lucille PaulsenRandy Reed by Kenny & Robin EtringerNicolasScottRemfrey by Dwayne & Rachel JohnsonJeani Riechmann by Teresa Krantz by Kenneth & Kathleen Wernimont by H.D & L.L Payne by Carole Deeds by Craig Riechmann bySharonSpears-Albright by Michele Safavi by John ReedJim Ritchie by Barbara Ritchie byWilliamWitt&KarenFranczykMarv Rolfes by Robert & Janet MillerOrville Sietsema by Mark GuentherKim Speed by David & Judith HalbmaierGeorge Oluf Stokker by Kathleen M. StokkerMary Thoman by Suzanne BembridgeStephen Thomas by David & Susan FeltmanDonald Topel by Jean BaconDoris R. Van Arkel by James Van ArkelDelza Van Arsdale Brown by Redonna J. ParkerJohn Thomas Walton by Donald & Shirley MarmannLaDora Wehling by Erwin WehlingWendell R Wendt by Mary SmartFred & Grace Wenzel by Phyllis AshDeborah Willig by Denise Willig

Honorariums and Memorials are some of the most special Ingredients we have.HONORARIUMS & MEMORIALS

PERSONAL CARE DRIVE

HONORARIUMS

MEMORIALS

For some northeast Iowans, personal hygiene items are the first things to cut off the shopping list when the summer months get busy and expensive. The 2018 Personal Care Drive is our way of helping these families. You can check out a list of places and times to donate these items at: www.northeastiowaboodbank.org

Toilet Paper

Diapers

Toothpaste

Shampoo

Soap

Deodorant

Ingredients | Volunteers, Donors, & Advocates

Monday, Jul. 9th - Monday, Aug. 6th

OUR THOUGHTS (AND FEARS) REGARDING MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PURCHASESINCONVENIENT VS. INTOLERABLE

In the world of philanthropy, we have to be careful about how we adopt solutions to both inconvenient and intolerable things. If we had the capacity to call you every time something broke and asked your permission to spend your donations on fixing it, believe us when we say we would do that in a heartbeat. But we can’t do that, and that is precisely why we take stewardship so seriously, because it happens in tandem with trust. And trust is no different than a foundation in a great storm - one crack in the wrong place and the entire structure can be compromised. We don’t want that. In fact, that is our greatest fear. For this precise reason, we like to update you on how we are spending the funds that you invest in us, as well as the grants and other income sources we work hard to acquire.

Recently we received a produce netting machine as a gift from Disney and it has drastically changed how we are able to store food. Inconvenience is if one onion goes bad. Intolerable is if a whole pallet of onions goes bad. And it’s why we sought after a netting machine to package/re-package produce. It’s faster than an assembly line of plastic bags, and it allows our produce to last longer in a more breathable and durable packaging to extend its shelf life.

Next up on our list of updates: forklifts. Forklifts of food elevating and descending upon rows and rows of millions of meals of food might not sound warm and fuzzy to most, but its how we feed people. When a forklift dies, it’s inconvenient us with fewer tools to do the same amount of work. It becomes intolerable when that results in fewer agencies receiving their food on time because we’re backed up. Thankfully, that didn’t have to happen. This spring, Walmart awarded us a grant for a new forklift and now we don’t have to ask ourselves “How are we going to get that pallet of creamed corn down from there?”

Finally, as a non-profit that works in the digital age, when it comes time to upgrade a few computers, it feels inconvenient. The flip side? When you work in the world of online ordering, being unable to “get online” means no more “ordering” and that is intolerable. Thanks to a grant from VGM, we were able to apply and receive a technology grant that has updated our aging computer fleet.

If you find yourself curious as to how we handle our finances, we would gladly welcome you to come in, take a tour and sit down with us. In fact, we encourage it. At the end of the day, if you feel left out of the loop, it’s not only inconvenient for you, its intolerable to us. We could not do this without you.

Contact: Mike KnippDevelopment Directormknipp@feedingamerica.org(319)-235-0507 ext. 106

CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION

Utensils | The Tools We Need To Close The Meal Gap By 2025

AND A SWEET SURPRISEA PIECE OF CAKE

Workinginacharitablefooddistributionorganization,we hear about many northeast Iowans who are nervous aboutcomingintoapantryforthefirsttimetoaskfor help via food assistance. It’s not a stretch of the imaginationtounderstandwhy.We’veallbeenthere,and asking for help isn’t something that naturally comes inherent to everyone. In fact, we’ve found that on average, pantry clients seek out food assistance only 7 out of 12 eligible months of the year. What that tells us, by and large, is that people who don’t need to use a pantry, won’t use a pantry. But when people do need the extra assistance, we are glad to be there for them.

A young mother came into one of our partner agencies theotherday.Shehitaroughpatchfinanciallyandwanted to make sure her kids were not going to go withoutfood.Duringherregistrationprocess,shementionednothavingalotofmoneyforfoodorextras,whichisn’tuncommon-afterall,that’swhypeoplevistfood pantries.

Aftergettingthepaperworkcompleted,pantrystaffersshowedthisyoungmotheraroundandgaveherafewtipsfor using the pantry. They too were mothers and knew howtohelpherfindwhatsheneeded.Momentslater,oneofthepantry’sstaffmembersrealizedthatthisyoungmotherhadmentionedherchild’sbirthdaywascomingtheverynextday.Itwasinthismomentwhenthestaffrealized that they could do something truly special for this family.

Theysiftedthroughafewboxesoffoodthatwouldsoonstock the shelves and they came across a small, simply decorated cake that was clearly ready for this kiddo’s birthday.Attemptingtogounnoticed,thestafftriedtoslipthe cake in the client’s cart as a sweet suprise. But, they weren’t as clever as they thought, because she turned around and immediatly caught on to what was happening. The look on her face was one of those moments that a person lives for.

“I didn’t think I was going to be able to make this [the birthday cake] happen.” In that moment, she was no longeraclientandthestafferwasn’tjustoperatingapantry. Together, they were just two mothers with tears in theireyes,bothrecognizingthebeautyinapracticalactof kindness and that on this day, one moner’s wish came true. And she didn’t even have to blow out any candles.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.

YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN

Serving Size | 46,440 Hungry Northeast Iowans

Cedar Falls Community Credit Union | Pantry SupportCedar Valley Broadcasting | BaconFestCommunity Church of Hudson Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

• Allamakee County 2018 ACCF Award• Foundation for the Future of Delaware County | Mobile Food Pantry

Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa • Butler County Community Foundation FY18 Award • Tama County Community Foundation- Produce Capacity• Grundy County Community Foundation- Mobile Food Pantry• Fayette County Community Foundation- Mobile Food Pantry• Winneshiek County Community Foundation - BackPack Program• Howard County Community Foundation - Mobile Food Pantry• Leighty Fund• NEIFB Endowment Fund - Butterfly Valves

East Bremer Diner | Waverly Hospitality - Willo CoonradtFeeding America | FY18 Walmart - Retail Agency Capacity Building GrantFeeding America | FY18 Walmart - Produce CapacityFirst United Methodist Church | Programs - Churches-Mobile PantryFogdall Family Foundation | General Support (in honor of Nazareth Lutheran Church)Fredsville Lutheran Church | Mobile Food PantryGreater Poweshiek Community Foundation | Mobile Food Pantry /BackPack ProgramIDEX Foundation Viking Pump | General Support Kiwanis Club of Cedar Falls Rough Risers Project Fund | BackPack ProgramKwik Trip, Inc. | Special EventsLR Jewelers | 20,000 MealsMcDonald’s Mt. Hope United Methodist Church | PantryQuota International of Waterloo Charitable FoundationSignature Realty LCSt. Edward Church St. John American Lutheran Church | St John Lutheran Church Endowment FundTyson Van G Miller Foundation Veridian Credit Union Waterloo Warehousing & Service Co Inc Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare | Mobile PantryZion Lutheran Church (Hudson) | Pantry

THANK YOU NORTHEAST IOWA!