Freedom from Hunger food asks for help due to the flood
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (July 3, 2008) – Freedom from Hunger organizers say the need is greater than ever to collect food this summer because of the increased demand caused by historic flooding in Eastern Iowa.
Under normal circumstances, nearly 3,000 Linn County households seek emergency food assistance each month, but that number is expected to soar due to the flood.
“Several of our major donors were severely impacted by the flood and we need employers who were not affected to help in any way they can,” said Barb Elsasser, director of the HACAP Food Reservoir and co-chair of the Freedom from Hunger planning committee. “The number of families needing food assistance has increased dramatically due to the fact that 25,000 people were displaced by the flood.”
Area businesses or other employers interested in participating can call Elsasser at (319) 393-7811.
During July and August, employers are encouraged to collect all non-perishable items, but there is a specific need for beef stew, tuna, macaroni and cheese, chili with meat, peanut butter and canned fruit. Donations of pasta, instant potatoes and canned soup are also especially encouraged. All items should be consumer-sized, as employees must remember these food items are going to families, and large items are impractical and unusable for them. Please do not donate glass, outdated or perishable items.
Last year, 48 area companies or organizations participated in or supported the drive, which raised a record 84,972 pounds of food.
BankIowa, the Linn County Supervisors Witwer Trust, the United Way of East Central Iowa, area Veterans, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, HACAP Food Reservoir, the Linn County Continuum of Care Planning and Policy Council and the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival are again teaming up to sponsor this year’s Freedom from Hunger food challenge, which is in its sixth year.
Contacts:
Barb Elsasser (319) 393-7811
Dave Gosch (319) 295-2908