River Bend Food Bank and Others Work to Alleviate Hunger In The Quad Cities
The River Bend Food Bank, Figge Art Museum, and a Davenport church, students and food pantry are among local organizations stepping up to help combat hunger as the federal government shutdown (now in its second month) has cut food assistance.
The regional food bank is urgently raising $145,000 in cash donations as part of Gov. Kim Reynolds call on Iowans to donate to local food banks in response to the federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) freeze.
Reynolds announced on Oct. 30 that Health and Human Servies will match all cash donations to Iowa’s six regional food banks beginning on Nov. 1 up to $1 million. River Bend Food Bank will receive a maximum of $145, 418 in matching funds for SNAP benefit lapse funding from the state for all donations received starting now. If SNAP benefits are restored in November, only the cash donations already received will be matched, according to a River Bend news release.
Donations through the state’s matching program must be used only for food purchases and food banks are required to distribute food to their hunger-relief partners in November.
The River Bend Food Bank is working to raise $145,000 in cash donations, to be eligible for a state of Iowa match.
“We are experiencing a surge in demand at our pantry sites in these challenging times,” River Bend Food Bank President Chris Ford said in the release. “It is essential we tap all available resources for those experiencing hunger and that includes securing the full amount of available matching funds from Iowa.”
The Iowa Hunger Coalition on Oct. 23 said that because of the government shutdown, 270,000 Iowans could fail to see a collective $45 million in SNAP benefits hit their EBT cards at the start of November. “This would be devastating to Iowans facing food insecurity, the food supply chain, the nonprofit sector, and local economies in urban and rural communities across the state,” the coalition said.
Students from the Davenport Soaring Eagles Pathfinders Club have recently worked with Davenport Seventh Day Adventist Church to collect donated and purchased food, to be distributed to the Central Community Circle Food Pantry at 1008 W. 6th St., Davenport.
“We’re so proud of our Pathfinders — they’ve really worked hard and are excited to serve others,” Club Director Ben Baugher said in a release. “I want to thank the people that donated and I want to challenge any other youth group out there. All it takes is a car, two people passing out bags and an hour or so and you will be amazed at the impact you can make. It is worth it.”
It is the mission of the church and their youth to help others in need. The youth, in advance of the Nov. 8th collection day, canvassed neighborhoods and provided bags last weekend. They organize the collected food, box it, label it and deliver it to the CCC Food Pantry on Sunday, Nov. 9.
“This is a difficult time, as people can imagine, for the food pantries,” said Pat Bereskin, secretary for the food pantry. “In a typical month we see 276 people, these past few months there has been a steady increase in those numbers. In October, we served 710 people. We are seeing a large increase of homelessness, the disabled, and the elderly seeking food. A number of them are individuals with children who are working minimum wage jobs or jobs with low wages.”
Bereskin went on to say, “In the 25 years I have been volunteering with the CCC Food Pantry, these are the highest numbers we have ever seen.”
Financial donations are more effective than food donations because of River Bend Food Bank’s buying power with retail partners, the food bank said. Donate today at riverbendfoodbank.org/donate.
The Davenport Soaring Eagles Pathfinders Club is working with the Davenport Seventh Day Adventists Church to supply food to the Central Community Circle Food Pantry.
Figge community support
The Figge Art Museum (225 W. 2nd St., Davenport) has expanded its participation in Museums for All, a national initiative dedicated to increasing access to high-quality museum experiences for individuals and families of all backgrounds.
Through this expansion visitors presenting an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) or SNAP card along with a photo I.D. will now receive free general admission year-round.
Museums for All is a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums. The initiative encourages people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly by offering free or reduced admission to individuals and families receiving food assistance.
More than 1,500 museums across the country participate, helping remove financial barriers and ensuring that everyone can experience the learning, creativity, and connection museums make possible.
Figge Art Museum
“Access to the arts is a vital part of community wellbeing,” Figge executive director Melissa Mohr said in a release. “Expanding our participation in Museums for All is one way we can ensure that everyone, regardless of circumstance, can experience the joy, reflection, and connection that art provides.”
This expanded access aligns with the museum’s broader commitment to community wellbeing. Building on that, the Figge will host a Food and Fund Drive benefiting River Bend Food Bank on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 12–5 p.m., during the museum’s free Second Saturday, a monthly day of free admission featuring artmaking, wellness, and gallery activities for all ages.
Guests who bring non-perishable food items or make monetary donations will receive a free admission ticket to use anytime within the next year. Monetary donors will also be entered into a raffle for a gift basket valued at over $400, featuring:
- A donated original artwork ($150 value)
- A Figge Benefactor Membership ($175 value)
- Additional merchandise and swag ($100+ value)
Every dollar raised for River Bend Food Bank helps provide five meals to those in need in our community. For those bringing non-perishables, River Bend has shared that their most-needed food items include: canned fruit, canned meats, tuna, peanut butter, soups, stews, and chili.
“Community connection is at the heart of everything we do,” said Mohr. “When we open our doors wider—whether through free admission or by supporting local organizations—we help ensure art remains part of a healthy, connected community.”
For more information, visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.
Bettendorf Library accepts donations
Since 2023, the Bettendorf Public Library has encouraged and accepted food donations year-round. Individuals in need are welcome to take donations from the shelves (called “The Necessity Nook”), and all surplus goes to the Bettendorf Food Pantry on a quarterly basis. Items can be donated at the Service Desk.
Current Wish List:
- soup crackers (ex., Saltines)
- flour
- sugar
- oil
- cereal
- laundry detergent
- shampoo and conditioner
- instant foods (instant mashed potatoes, ready-to-serve rice, etc.)
Last week, the library out a call for donations on social media, as shelves were sparse during a time of need for our community, and they reported many donations. In the past two years, the library collected 1,944 total items in donations.
The Bettendorf Public Library has a Necessity Nook, where people in need can take donated food and hygiene items.
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