A strong community needs a strong food bank, one that delivers hope and dignity along with sustenance. The Food Bank of Iowa and Alliant Energy agree community members shouldn’t have to choose between food and buying medicine or paying bills. That’s why Alliant Energy supports the Food Bank of Iowa.
The food bank provides food from free and reduced-priced sources. With the help of thousands of volunteers, they gather and safely store food until it can be delivered to Iowans in need. The organization reaches 55 counties throughout the state and works with 700 local partners to deliver food.
“The neighbors we serve are hardworking families, people on fixed incomes and those living with disabilities,” said Bergetta Beardsley, vice president of philanthropy at Food Bank of Iowa. “Many of us are just one life event away from needing help with food, whether from a job loss, medical bill, unexpected car repair or something else.”
In November 2023, Alliant Energy Foundation donated $95,000 to support the Food Bank of Iowa’s Ottumwa distribution center and help provide hunger relief in southeast Iowa. These funds will support their mobile food pantry program in Ottumwa.
Iowans in need can pick up food at mobile pantries that deliver to rural areas, through school backpack programs, school pantries for families with young children, veterans’ programs, day care centers, senior programs and more. Alliant Energy employees volunteer time to host the southeast Iowa distribution once a month.
Food Bank of Iowa is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. Thanks to a network of collaborative partners and bulk purchasing power, the food bank can feed a neighbor in need for less than $2 a day.
Beardsley said, “We are beyond grateful for the relationship we have built with Alliant Energy and could not ask for a better partner to support our work in southern Iowa.”
As a company with a strong commitment to fighting hunger, Alliant Energy welcomes the opportunity to support the Food Bank of Iowa’s Ottumwa distribution center as it helps our neighbors in need.
