Scratching the Surface

September 5, 2025

By Colton Chism, Marketing Intern at HACAP Food Reservoir

Above: Marketing Intern, Colton (Middle) seen working with volunteers at the Downtown Cedar Rapids Farmer's Market collecting donations for the "Home Run for Hunger" program back in June 2025.

A Local Perspective with a Broader Purpose

My name is Colton Chism, and I’m a 21-year-old Marketing major entering my senior year at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business. Before transferring to Iowa in the fall of 2024, I attended Kirkwood Community College. I’ve lived in Cedar Rapids my entire life—born and raised here—where I grew up surrounded by family, friends, and a strong sense of community. I graduated from Jefferson High School, where I played football and was actively involved in extracurricular activities that helped shape my character and work ethic. This city has always been home, but this summer, I discovered a part of it I had never seen before.

Discovering HACAP

In mid-May, I joined the HACAP Food Reservoir as a Summer Marketing Intern. Despite being a lifelong Cedar Rapids resident, I had never heard of HACAP before applying for this role. That quickly changed. I learned that HACAP—the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program—is a nonprofit organization serving seven counties across Eastern Iowa. Their mission is to support individuals and families facing food insecurity, housing instability, and other barriers to a better life.

What struck me immediately was the culture. Every person I’ve met at HACAP embodies the organization’s core values: compassion, integrity, and a relentless drive to create positive change. From day one, I was welcomed into a team that works with purpose and heart. I want to especially thank Cari Stiefel, who has been an incredible mentor throughout my internship. Her guidance helped me find my footing and make a meaningful contribution to the Food Reservoir team.

Above: Marketing Intern, Colton (second from the left) works the tent at Feedwell's Muffins for Meals Fundraiser that supported HACAP Food Reservoir in July 2025.

Working on Community Food Drive

My primary focus this summer was coordinating the Community Food Drive, formerly known as Eastern Iowa Freedom From Hunger. Running from June 1 through August 31, this initiative is designed to support families with children who face food insecurity during the summer months—when access to school meals is limited.

This project allowed me to apply and grow my skills in project management, community outreach, advertising, and public relations. But more importantly, it gave me a front-row seat to the generosity and resilience of our community. When we began outreach, I was amazed by how quickly local businesses and organizations stepped up to host food drives—some even reached out to us first. That early momentum was a powerful reminder that people want to help; they just need a way to get involved.

Through outreach efforts across the Cedar Rapids Corridor and into smaller towns like Central City, Vinton, and Monticello, nearly 50 businesses have participated in this summer’s drive.

Expanding Our Reach

One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was seeing the impact of our efforts in rural communities. Thanks to the groundwork laid by the Food Reservoir team before I arrived, we were able to expand the Community Food Drive into areas that often go overlooked.

In Vinton, I spoke with a local resident who expressed deep gratitude for HACAP’s presence at a community event. He made a simple but powerful point: “Rural communities face hunger too.” That moment stuck with me. It was a reminder that food insecurity doesn’t just exist in urban centers—it’s a widespread issue that affects families everywhere.

By extending our reach into towns like Monticello, Vinton, and Central City, we were able to shine a light on rural food insecurity and support local pantries that are vital to their communities. These efforts reflect HACAP’s commitment to meeting people where they are—whether in the heart of Cedar Rapids or in the quiet corners of Eastern Iowa.

Looking Ahead

This internship has been more than just a summer job—it’s been a transformative experience. I’ve developed valuable professional skills, built meaningful relationships, and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges facing my community. Most importantly, I’ve seen firsthand how a dedicated team and a united community can make a real difference.

Growing up in Cedar Rapids, I thought I knew my city. But through this experience, I realized I had only scratched the surface. HACAP’s work opened my eyes to the unseen struggles and the quiet strength of the people around me. And while this summer may be coming to a close, I believe the best of the Community Food Drive—and HACAP’s impact—is still ahead.

We are just scratching the surface.

BACK TO NEWS