Community is powerful in the fight against hunger.

Giving a hand up underlies everything Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) has done in its 60 years of service to Iowans facing poverty. The organization offers collaborative, anti-poverty community programming.

Recognizing this, the Alliant Energy Foundation recently allocated $97,500 from their Drive Out Hunger fundraising event to HACAP. The funds will further HACAP’s commitment to health and nutrition through their Food Reservoir program.

“We envision a world where every person, regardless of circumstance, has access to the sustenance they need,” said Jane Drapeaux, HACAP CEO. “We dream of thriving communities, liberated from the burden of hunger.” As a Feeding America food bank, the Food Reservoir is well positioned to fulfill its mission. Feeding America, the largest food network in the country, provides standards and guidance to HACAP. It organizes corporate donors from the national level, leaving local HACAP personnel free to serve fellow Iowans.

HACAP’s Food Reservoir distributes over 10 million meals each year. It distributes food to Iowans in seven counties through its 260 agency partners and its pantries. The Reservoir’s mobile pantry delivers food directly to Iowans in rural areas. Other HACAP pantries serve low-income seniors, students including college students, and families. Parents can visit a school pantry as they drop their children off or pick them up. The backpack program sends elementary school children home for the weekend or school break with healthy, easy-to-prepare snacks and meals. Seniors can get groceries or enjoy a community dinner.

The Food Reservoir accepts monetary and in-kind donations along with volunteer help.

Alliant Energy funding for HACAP is from the company’s successful Drive Out Hunger golf fundraiser that was held in September. Nearly 70 business partners helped raise $515,000 in just one day, all of which went to support Iowa and Wisconsin food banks.

Kim Guardado, HACAP Food Reservoir director, said funds received will support the Food Reservoir’s mobile pantry, including staff salaries and long-term leasing costs for delivery trucks.

“Alliant Energy has been a great partner with us. They’re very committed to eliminating food insecurity and empowering us to do what we need to do,” she said.

As a company that recognizes the critical importance of health and nutrition in fighting poverty, Alliant Energy is glad for the opportunity to help Iowans overcome barriers to good nutrition.