The Northeast Iowa Food Bank envisions a community in which hunger is alleviated and all persons have adequate access to nutritious food. We will strive to accomplish our mission so that food security is ultimately achieved for all households.

(Read more on pg.6 )

Learn the most up-to-date information on hunger and our work in northeast Iowa

NEW IMPACT REPORTSRead Dotty’s inspirational testimony(More on pg. 4)

Fall 2019

LEGACY GIFTS FEED FOR YEARS TO COME

Barb PratherExecutive Director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank

Our Board

Our StaffFrom The Director

Kirsten Juhl, ChairKen Cutts, Vice ChairCheryl Erb, Secretary

Corey Lorenzen, TreasurerBob Brokaw

Timi-Brown PowersHouston Campbell

Paul GarciaEmily Girsch

Grant GrubbardLeonard Hanson

Mindy HendricksonPhil Jones

Paul Jungen IIJustin Kasuske

Barb KramerMike MessererJeanne MillerLouise ScottDaniel WinnTajah Wright

Reggie SchmittChrist Schwartz

Sept. 26th & Sept. 27th

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Barb Prather, Executive DirectorMike Knipp, Director of Development

Susan Kraus, Director of Network RelationsAlisha Rulapaugh, Director of Community EngagementMichelle Sullivan, Director of Compliance & Operations

Shannon Bass, Network Service CoordinatorDan Bohnker, Group Volunteer Coordinator

Jeff Bowman, WarehouseJoslyn Canfield, Agency Services

Maddie Christensen, Individual Volunteer CoordinatorDebra Eckerman, Warehouse

Susan Entriken, Grants CoordinatorJim Flood, Warehouse Foreman

Brent Groomes, Warehouse Tia Gutierrez, Network Services CoordinatorNikki Hahn, Culinary Programs Coordinator

Austin Hamlett, Receiving CoordinatorBryan Helleso, Marketing Manager

Melissa Hicok, Accounting & HR ManagerTyler Huckfelt, Volunteer Manager

Agnes Kress, Community Events ManagerRhonda McBride, Pantry Services ManagerAndrew Mohr, Network Service Assistant

Tyler Montgomery, Americorps VISTATammy Morrison, Admin Assistant

Caren Rhoads, JanitorTom Roschen, Fleet Coordinator/DriverLisa Spitler, SNAP Outreach Coordinator

Doug Stufflebeam, Warehouse/DriveTom Swalin, Operations Manager

Mara Warnke, Pantry Service AssistantLeo White, Food Room Coordinator

Freddie Williams, Receiving CoordinatorCamil Zonic, Warehouse Custodian

Since 2017, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank has been focused on closing the Meal Gap in northeast Iowa. This past fiscal year, the Food Bank hit a record distribution by providing 6.9 million meals to people in need in northeast Iowa. The best news is that the Meal Gap is getting smaller and is now 7.4 million meals and there are less people who are food insecure, just under 44,000 people. A feat we can’t do without the incredible community support we have available to us.

While over the years government has put in place a strong nutrition safety net for people who need services, for many people they still rely on the programs we provide and the member agencies we serve. And it is proven that if government cuts programs, we see more people needing food.

You may have recently seen publicity which could jeopardize the advocacy work we have done and increase the demand on us even more. This proposal would revise Categorical Eligibility to those on SNAP. This rule would gut our state’s option to eliminate the SNAP asset test and use a higher income test to serve more working households that have significant higher shelter and childcare costs. It would eliminate benefits for households and negatively impact food security for people.

If SNAP is cut, our numbers will increase. This has proven true time and time again. It means more people will need the programs we provide and we will need the community’s help more than ever. Those affected are people who are working and having a hard time making ends meet. These are kids who need our help on the weekends through the BackPack program. It is people who are choosing between eating and paying for their car repairs.

While there is a short turn around in the amount of time you can comment, as comments are due by September 23rd, we bring this to your attention so you can continue to advocate for the people who need our help now and in the months to come.

The Food Bank is here to close the Meal Gap and ensure that people have access to food. You help us do that and we appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.

2019 Fall Sack Lunch Delivery

Thanksgiving Distribution

Hunger Action Month

International Food Tasting

Personal Care Drive

Our annual Thanksgiving Distribution helps over 3,000 households fill their cupboards prior to

the Thanksgiving holiday season. We have over 500 volunteer opportunities for this event. We

are also looking for individuals and organizations to sponsor the participating families. Visit our

website to learn more!

We had such a great turnout at this year’s 6th annual Internatinal Food Tasting. Those attending enjoyed featured samplings of Indian, Persian, Thai, Filipino

and Bosnian cuisine with the proceeds benefitting our BackPack program.

Over 3,600 lbs. and $7,000 was collected during our Personal Care Drive. We had 27 sites & stores

participate! Thank you to everyone who participated!

Sept. 26th & Sept. 27th

Nov. 18th - Nov. 20th

Sept. 1st -30th

Aug 18th

Summer 2019

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

DID YOU MISS THIS?

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Getting Involved | Past & Upcoming Events

We are back at it again for our fall Sack Lunch program in the Cedar Valley. Visit our website and

place your order today for yourselves or treat your co-workers to lunch! Hurry, the deadline to order

is Thursday, September 19th!

September is Hunger Action Month and we have partnered with a variety of organizations to offer fun

easy ways to take action and support the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Visit our website, or follow us on

Facebook/Instragram to see what activities we have going on for the rest of the month.

FROM PENNY PINCHING TO MAJOR GIVING

YOUR DONATIONS GO FURTHER HEREINVEST IN OUR MISSION TO IMPACT OUR CLIENTS, STAFF & SMALL BUSINESSS

A GIFT OF LEGACY

Ingredients | Volunteers, Donors, & Advocates

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HONORARIUMSWhat does a woman do with her money when her family is content and she’s halfway through the year to her 101st birthday?

When many of us have money to spare, we might use it to fill our lives with more material goods. But Dorothy “Dotty” Winkey, who grew up in the Great Depression and is used to saving and thrifting, doesn’t need any extra stuff. “Growing up, I was a real penny pincher,” she laughs. We ask why she had started giving to charities. “I don’t know; I had more money than I needed, and I had given [my daughter] enough,” she muses. So what’s next? Her answer is clear: giving back.

As we sit down at the little kitchen table in her small assisted living apartment in Clarksville, Dotty pulls out the Charity Watch guide she uses to search for only the highest-rated organizations. For choosing national and international causes, she says, it can come down to “eeny-meeny-miny-moe,” but for local organizations like the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, the decision to give is simpler. Giving locally is just what you should do. Dotty gives annually as well as helping the NEIFB with one-time donations to cover costs of a specific need.

Now at 100 years old, Dotty regales us with tale after tale of her extraordinary life, with photos to match. She is writing stories of her memories which she emails out to a small number of interested people, who in turn share the stories with other people they know. She reflects on her memories in a somewhat practical way, recalling the good and the bad with equal acceptance and a dash of good humor. Dotty has enough of these chapters now to fill a large book, and shows no signs of stopping.

We at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank greatly appreciate our community members who choose to spend their money to continually giving back. It’s why we are so grateful to hear the stories of donors like Dotty. With a century of memories and a heart for giving, Dotty Winkey is certainly remarkable.

SEE THE BACK OF THIS NEWSLETTER FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONSIDERING PLANNED GIVING?

Honorariums and Memorials are some of the most special Ingredients we have.HONORARIUMS & MEMORIALS

HONORARIUMS MEMORIALS

Ingredients | Volunteers, Donors, & AdvocatesIngredients | Honorariums and Memorials

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Berdell Schauls Birthday by Paula SteimelBetty & Ron Steege 50th by Gene & Pat LeonhartBob Sloan by Cedar Valley Cyclists by Veridian Credit UnionChuck Siebrecht by Ron & Melissa SlateDelza J. Van Arsdale Brown by Redonna J. ParkerFor the glory of God! by Chad FolkenHudson United Methodist Church by Edward & Marlys SmithIn honor of my deceased family members and those here with me. by Karon GramInternational Food Tasting Event by Dave BeckerLarry & Lorrie Cox Wedding by Jean BaconLee & Amy Lindgren by Rachel EvansMarv & Helen Schumacher by Gene & Pat LeonhartMarv & Jeneane Dillavou by Bruce & Julie EhlersPastor Arthur Bergren, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church by Bruce & Suzann KramerPaul & Ardith Goings by Susan KoppmannRon Lenth by Waverly Garden ClubSharon Kelleher by Liane NicholsStone Soul Picnic by Barbara WatersThe blessings I receive from God. He is good!! by Richard & Mary ChapmanVirgil & Mary Matthias’s 50th Anniversary by Gene & Pat Leonhart

Amy Denholm by James Denholm by Shawn & Janelle SmeinsAndrew Schaefer by David & Teresa SchaeferAnne M. Melick by R.C. MelickAudrey Andrews by Traycee Simon by Richard & Debra Morris by Steph or Julie Weiand by Howard & Phyllis Peterson by Merrit Toland by Gary CoolCatherine Willwerth by Donna MitchellChuck Morris by Debra & James KnudsonChuck Siebrecht by Beverly Biggs by Ann & Douglas FarielloClaire Nemeth by Susie Nemeth-WildDon Gobeli by Steven PrescottDoris Westemeier by Suzanne BembridgeElizabeth Farris by Tom & Connie CainEsther Winning by Sandra DerifieldEva Jane Eberling by Lee Allan EberlingFedon Petrides by Suzanne BembridgeFrancis Holland by John HollandGene Condon by Carmen Condon by Debbie & Walter BrotenHarold Powell by Thomas & Sherrie MooreHelen & Maurice Covino by Ruth MillarJohn & Betty Henrrik by John & Betty TovarJack D. Wilkinson by Carole WilkinsonJean & Ray Wellman by Charles Fuller by Marie Fuller by Matthew FullerJeannine Kline by Kathleen CondonJoyce Hudspeth by Jim & Deb KnudsonJoyce Karr by James & Sharon MeggisonJudy Chelle by Jon & Wendy Foote

Kirsten Hafermann by Randeen EllefsonLenore Rodamaker by Robert & Mary PhilipsLewis Hanna by Opal HannaLucy Thierer by Linda BerryMarilynn Cavanaugh by Kenneth CavanaughMelvin Lee by Karen Lee

Mr. Cheryl “Chuck” Siebrecht by Bruce StoltzeRachel Knock by Dennis KnockRandy Reed by Kenny & Robin EtringerRichard Caley by Donald & Joyce SniderRichard “Dick” Caley by James & Ruth Peterson by Gene & Beverly Johnson by Douglas & Donna Reiseck by Shirley Buenzow by Janice Hagarty by Clair & Marilyn Bruce by Ronald Cook by Eugene & Dorothy Bright by Bernard & Judy Manley by Carolyn Young by Dave & Diane Caley by Randy & Bonnie Duvel by Thomas & Catherine Hagarty by Stanley & Rosalyn Lorenz by Thomas & Kathryn Caley by John McCoy by Goria Dayton by Marjorie Behrens by Joel Ann & Roger Helmrichs by Donald & Judy Cole by Cyril & Kathey Klein by Marylyn & Dennis Gaede by R.C. Melick by Ron & Linda Mather by Craig & Kathy GoehrigRobert Brandhorst by Ellen BrandhorstScott Eberling by Lee Allan EberlingThomas Weissenfluh by Wesley & Dorthy WeissenfluhVelma Morz by David & Susan FeltmanVicky Lockhart by Kenneth Cavanaugh

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IMPACT UPDATES

Since we initiated our Strategic Plan in 2017, we have released annual snapshots on the state of hunger in northeast Iowa, at both individual county and service-area-wide levels. We do this because we believe it is important for you to see the simplest, most transparent performance review of the work you have allowed us to do.

These snapshots, referred to as County Hunger Summaries, help us remain competitive with who we were in prior years, and serve as a the #1 resource for understanding the magnitude and impact of what we are aiming to accomplish with each and every year that passes.

Though we aren’t required to create these reports, we do it anyway because we believe in rigorous monitoring and continiously providing proof that we hold ourselves accountable. We know how much work there is to be done but we aren’t naive to the fact that your support is what we need to accomplish that work.

We encourage anyone who is interested in the work we do to check out these printable County Hunger Summaries on our website. Your donations, volunteer time, and advocacy have the opportunity to impact the lives of those who are just trying to overcome the unexpected.

THE STATE OF HUNGER IN NORTHEAST IOWA

WWW.NORTHEASTIOWAFOODBANK.ORG/HUNGER

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.

Serving Size | 43,430 Hungry Northeast Iowans

OVERCOMING THE UNEXPECTEDOSCAR’S STORY

I used to work for a cable company. I grew up in poverty, and I swore that my family would never go through what I did. So, I chased the dollar – worked day in and day out to provide. We had it all, really – the house, the cars, even boats. But then I got hurt at work, and it all fell apart.

There was an accident that sent a piece of coaxial cable right through my eye. I was supposed to be out for a while, but it turned out that the cable ruined my vision and left me unfit for the job. I was left relying on workman’s comp, but that wasn’t enough to feed my family.

I did not want to visit a food pantry. I had promised myself that I would never be in a position where I couldn’t provide for my family. I’m not one to ask for a hand out. But there I was, without work and without food. My wife took it upon herself to go to the pantry because we had kids to feed. She began to insist I go with her. I did, and my life changed.

I was scared walking through that door for the first time. I thought I’d be judged – but really, I was just judging myself. Everyone was so kind. They shook my hand, hugged me, and helped me see that this didn’t mean I was a failure, it just meant that I needed help to get back on my feet.

Soon after, I began to volunteer at the pantry and I became truly fulfilled knowing the difference I was making in people’s lives. The food pantry gave me a hand up, not a hand out. My success is a product of their support. I’m truly grateful for everything they’ve done and I’m passionate about paying it forward.

Today, I can provide for my family again, and not only that, I’m truly fulfilled. I know I’m making a big difference in people’s lives. There are so many others out there who just need a little extra help to overcome life’s unexpected obstacles. I’m committed to helping as many people as I can, because I was once in a similar place.

Recurring donations are a great way to impact the lives of those experiencing hunger in northeast Iowa, on a monthly basis.

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CONSIDER BECOMING A MONTHLY DONOR

FOR SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITYTHANK YOU

Cedar Valley United Way

Fogdall Family Foundation

Feeding America

Monsanto Foundation

Subaru of America Inc. & CNS Car Company

Waverly-Shell Rock Area United Way

Bremer County, Waverly, & Readlyn Community Foundations

McDonough Foundation

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

First Citizen’s Bank

Rydell Chevrolet

US Bank Foundation

Walmart’s ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change’ Campaign

Winneshiek County United Way

DO YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR PLANNED GIVING? WE CAN HELP.Planned GivingBy including the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in your estate plans, or naming the Food Bank as a beneficiary of your will or insurance policy, you leave a legacy that provides nutritious meals to those who are hungry for years to come. A planned gift can be of any size; no gift is too small. Most importantly, you can continue your support of those in need. To learn more about planned giving opportunities, please contact Mike Knipp. (See below for contact information)

A bequest is a simple way to leave a planned gift to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank through your estate plan or will. There are several ways to leave a bequest:

Specific Bequest: Designate the amount of money or specific asset (property, securities, etc.) you wish to give. Percentage Bequest: Designate the percentage of your estate you wish to be given to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Residuary Bequest: After estate distributions are made to your loved ones, instruct that the remainder be given to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Contingent Bequest: Instruct that the Northeast Iowa Food Bank receive assets in the event that a beneficiary in your will is no longer living.

Here is an example of how to use bequest language when planning your estate: “I give and bequeath the sum of $ (or % of my estate) to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank to be used in support of its general philanthropic purposes.”

Bequests

Mike Knipp, Director of Developmentmknipp@northeastiowafoodbank.org