Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope: How the Food Reservoir Makes a Difference
The HACAP Food Reservoir serves as a vital hub in the fight against hunger, distributing millions of pounds of food through a network of local food pantries, non-profit organizations, schools, and churches across seven counties. By partnering with community agencies and offering targeted programs such as mobile food pantries, school and college pantries, the BackPack Program, and senior food drops, the Food Reservoir ensures that individuals and families have consistent access to nutritious food.
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Mobile Food Pantry Schedule
June 2026
July 2026
How We Work
A food bank is a storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community through food pantries, non-profit organizations, churches, and school-based programs. Many communities have a local food pantry, sometimes mistakenly called a food bank. Most of these community food pantries are sponsored by local churches and/or community coalitions. A food pantry’s mission is to directly serve local residents who face food-insecurity.
Food Reservoir Newsletter - Winter 2026
Hunger in Iowa
Feeding America has published the Map the Meal Gap project since 2011 to learn more about the face of hunger at the local level, view here.
Programs & Partners
- Mobile Food Pantry - Each month our mobile food pantry visits communities or neighborhoods that do not have close access to grocery stores or food pantries.
- BackPack Program - The BackPack Program offers elementary school students’ food for the weekends and school breaks. The bag includes healthy, easy to prepare food that is kid friendly.
- School Pantries - While the BackPack Program provides food directly to the kids, school pantries address the needs of the entire family. Our school pantries provide a way for busy families to access a food pantry at a place they already go- their kid’s school.
- College Pantries - Food insecurity has the potential to harm college students’ ability to achieve their educational and professional goals. College pantries address that harm by providing students with access to food on their college campus.
- Partner Agencies - We work with non-profits and faith-based agencies in all 7 counties we serve. Our partners operate food pantries, meal sites, daycares, emergency shelters, senior dining, youth programs and other non-profit services.
- Senior Programs - Our senior drops provide onsite mobile pantry opportunities for seniors living in low-income housing communities. 8 Our Senior Markets provide on site fresh produce, dairy and meat for seniors in partnership with rural senior dinning sites.
- Healthcare Partnerships - A collaboration with Healthcare Providers to screen patients for food insecurity and connect them with appropriate resources and supply them with food from the HACAP Food Reservoir when applicable.
- Connections – A Program designed to connect families to local resources with a primary focus on mental health awareness in community settings such as food pantries, libraries, or community non-profits.
Food Pantry FAQ's
I need food, but I don’t know where to go. Do I need to drive all the way to HACAP Food Reservoir?
The best place to access food is at one of HACAP Food Reservoir’s 150+ partner pantries, schools, mobile distributions, or other feeding sites. Find a food distribution site near you here.
How do I know if food pantries are for me? Are there income or other eligibility requirements that must be met to go to food pantries?
The Food Reservoir welcomes anyone who says they need food at our pantries. There are no eligibility requirements anyone has to meet to access pantries. At pantries that distribute USDA products through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) you will need to sign a form once a year in order to receive food.
The Food Reservoir offers government food assistance programs like TEFAP. Does that mean you are a government program?
No. HACAP is a non-profit, also known as a 501(c)3. While we do receive some funding for certain government run programs like TEFAP that does not make the food bank itself a government program. We will never ask for immigration status or proof of citizenship.
How many times can I get food from a food pantry?
While HACAP Food Reservoir does not have service limits on how many times someone can visit a pantry, specific pantries may have limitations due to available resources. If you are in need of more food than you received at a pantry, HACAP encourages you to visit another pantry near you to get more. To learn more, call the pantry nearest you to answer these questions.
Do I have to live in a specific area in order to get food from a pantry or mobile distribution?
HACAP Food Reservoir serves Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington Counties. For the majority of Food Reservoir pantry partners, it does not matter where you live. A small number of pantries may limit their service region due to requirements from their funders or due to how much food they have available. To learn more, call the pantry nearest you to answer these questions.
I receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits - previously known as Food Stamps. Can I still use food pantries?
Yes! SNAP is a great program for families needing food assistance. SNAP benefits may or may not be enough to get families through the month, and anyone receiving SNAP benefits are welcome at food pantries if they are in need of food. If you are interested in learning more about SNAP, please call 1-855-944-3663.
I have bills piling up and have to decide where my money goes. Do I need to wait to go to a food pantry until my bills are paid?
No. Many families have to make tough decisions like whether to pay for food or rent. If you’re worried about paying your bills (rent, medical bills, utilities, etc.), HACAP recommends coming to a food pantry first and save your money for your bills. We are here to support you.
I used services of HACAP Food Reservoir and would like to share my experience. How do I do that?
Whether you had a wonderful experience or see need for improvements, we want to hear from you! Please call us or email foodreservoir@hacap.org if you have a story you would like to share. It is important to note that not every food pantry in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington counties is affiliated with HACAP Food Reservoir. When in doubt, contact us and we can let you know!
Does HACAP Food Reservoir offer food delivery?
HACAP Food Reservoir does not offer food delivery at this time. A few of our partner pantries offer home delivery for certain situations. Please contact the pantry nearest to you to find out what options they offer.
Does HACAP Food Reservoir have pet food?
The Food Reservoir does not offer pet food at this time, but The Cedar Valley Humane Society does offer a Pet Food Pantry. Please visit cvhumane.org/pet-food-pantry or call them directly for details.
Leadership Team
Contact Us
HACAP Food Reservoir
PO Box 490, Hiawatha, IA 52233
Email: foodreservoir@hacap.org
Phone: 319-393-7811 (press 2)
