Opportunities To Support Community Food Bank
CommUnity is hosting its Fifth Annual Hunger Banquet fundraiser Friday via Zoom. Between sponsorships, registrations and additional donations, the event typically raises about $55,000, which helps stock the food bank for six months.
Winter said in past years, the banquet has had about 300 people attend, including last year’s first virtual event. She said registrations are slightly lower this year and they’re expecting about 200 people.
During the immersive banquet, participants will receive an e-gift card they can use at any restaurant, or an email saying they were assigned to represent people in the county who go to bed hungry and therefore won’t receive any money.
The gift card amounts range from $5 to $50 and participants have the option of using them before they expire June 26 or not using them and giving the amount back to CommUnity.
The deadline to register for the banquet is midnight Wednesday. To register, visit CommUnity’s website, or .
In addition, CommUnity is hosting its annual summer food drive and Fan Club.
From June to August, it is running the Strike Out Hunger food drive, which includes in-kind food donation barrels around Iowa City and financial donations.
During its Fan Club, CommUnity distributes fans that it purchases through donations made through its website. The organization held its first distribution day on Monday and plans on holding three more throughout the summer. Anyone in Johnson County is eligible to receive a fan every two years.
What Is The Difference Between A Food Bank And A Food Pantry
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
How Does A Food Pantry Work
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.
Our vision is simplebring financial security, dignity, and savings to the millions experiencing financial stress.
Quick Links
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Volunteer In The Food Bank
CommUnitys food bank distributed over 2 million pounds of food to Johnson County residents last year. When you volunteer in the food bank, youll work on a team of compassionate and dedicated individuals and might perform a wide range of tasks, including stocking shelves, assisting clients, or helping with data entry. Must be 16 or older.
Community Foodbank And Delivery
In response to concerns surrounding coronavirus COVID-19, the Food Bank will be providing alternative service options. If you are feeling ill, we encourage you to call the Food Bank at 319-351-0128 to discuss the options that work for you.
The Food Bank is suspending shopping and providing pre-bagged food only, effective immediately. We have modified the check-in and food pick-up stations so clients do not need to enter the building.
Food delivery is now available to anyone living in Johnson County who needs food but cannot access other resources due to COVID-19. People can call 519-6165 between 9:00 AM 5:00 PM Monday through Friday to request food delivery. They will be asked a few questions about their household, and delivery will happen within 48 hours. Agencies can also contact this line to set up a time to pick-up food for their clients. Recipients will receive pre-packed bags of food based on what is available.
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Community Opens Second Iowa City Food Pantry
IOWA CITY – COVID-19 hasn’t increased the number of clients CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank has served at the food bank this year, but it has affected how those clients are served.
‘When COVID hit …,
we had to pivot fairly quickly and figure out how we were going to serve our community, said Becci Reedus, CommUnity’s executive director. ‘Food pickup and delivery were the things we could do initially to keep everybody safe.
But food pickup creates waste, Reedus said. About half of all prepacked food doesn’t get used by clients, either because of dietary limitations or just food preferences, she said.
With that in mind, as well as concerns over a looming Iowa winter that would force clients to wait outside before picking up their food due to social-distancing guidelines, CommUnity’s board of directors decided a second food bank was the best course of action.
That new food bank – located in Pepperwood Plaza in the South District of Iowa City – opened to clients on Monday. The space, next to Parkview Church, is 11,000 square feet.
‘Everything is bigger, Reedus said. ‘Super-sized.
The larger facility allows CommUnity to bring more clients indoors so they don’t have to wait outside when the weather turns cold. Social-distancing measures also are in place inside.
‘And most importantly, they’ll be able to shop for their food again, Reedus said.
Once clients are finished shopping, they’ll weigh their carts and then bag their own items at the facility’s bagging table.
Community To Host Sixth Hunger Banquet On April 21
CommunityApr. 15, 2022 6:56 am278d ago
Every dollar donated will enable the CommUnity Food Bank to purchase five pounds of food. Each year, this event raises enough funding to stock the shelves for nearly six months. Registration is online and ends today.
Local GovernmentFeb. 16, 2022 4:00 pm336d ago
The Iowa City Council has directed nearly $1 million in pandemic relief funds to CommUnity Crisis Services so the nonprofit can expand its mobile crisis outreach program. The move comes in response to the increased need for mental health services during the pandemic.
CommunityJan. 17, 2022 6:00 am367d ago
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank has added a youth mobile crisis counselor to the team to meet the growing needs in Johnson and Iowa counties.
NewsDec. 15, 2021 4:18 pm399d ago
The annual event will provide 1,500 local families with all the food they need to make a traditional holiday dinner. Families who missed the registration window can still get a meal.
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Community Crisis Services And Food Bank
| Address |
Description:
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank provides supplemental grocery assistance to any Johnson County resident in need. Clients can come up to once per week and can choose the foods that work best for their family. Options include non-perishable foods as well as produce, dairy, frozen, meat availability is based on donations. Also available are baby diapers, baby formula and hygiene products. Service hours are MWF 12:00 – 4:30 PM, T 12:00-7:00 PM, Th 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM and Sat 9:30 am- 2:00 pm.
Due to COVID, the Food Bank Program ONLY has moved to 1045 Highway 6 East, Iowa City, IA to provide shoppers with more room to shop for their own food. All other services remain at 1121 Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA.
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank also operates a Mobile Food Pantry which visits a variety of locations in Johnson County each month. For details on locations, dates, and hours, please visit builtbycommunity.org/mobilepantry/.
In addition to the food pantry, CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank also provides a variety of programs for mental-health, emergency assistance, and disaster recovery.
How to Help:
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Community Crisis Services Opens New Iowa City Food Bank Location
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank is excited to announce the opening of its second Food Bank, located in the Pepperwood Plaza in the South District of Iowa City. The new food bank, located at 1045 Highway 6 East, will open at noon on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, and will provide a larger area to shop.
Hours of operationMonday: Noon to 4:30 p.m.Tuesday: Noon to 7 p.m.Wednesday: Noon to 4:30 p.m.Thursday: 9:30am to 4:30 p.m.Friday: Noon to 4:30 p.m.Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank implemented changes in the way it provides services. In order to maintain social distancing among clients, volunteers, and staff, the non-profit began providing pre-packaged bags and delivery service. The new location will offer client choice, where clients can walk the aisles for food, which allows them the opportunity to select their own food like they would at a grocery store, rather than having bags of food prepackaged for them.
While we do our best to provide options for people receiving pre-packaged bags, they may not meet 100% of the unique dietary needs of every individual. This new location will allow us to bring back more volunteers, provide personal protective equipment, and maintain at least six feet of distance between everyone in the building, explained Becci Reedus, CommUnitys Executive Director.
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About Community Crisis Services And Food Bank
Location:
1121 Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA 52240, US
Mission Statement
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank is a volunteer-driven organization based in Iowa City, IA that provides immediate and non-judgmental support for individuals facing emotional, food, or financial crisis.
Description
A crisis can be anything – problems with family or friends, lack of food, financial emergency, divorce, serious illness, roommate trouble, school-related stress, substance abuse struggles, suicidal feelings… the list is endless. Or it could be a series of small problems that together have become overwhelming.
When any situation has become too difficult for you to cope with alone, we can help. Everyone at CommUnity is passionate about treating those in crisis as valuable human beings.
CommUnity provides immediate support through our Crisis Intervention, Food Bank & Emergency Assistance, and Community Intervention Programs.
Our Services
- 24-Hour Crisis Line – emotional support, information, referrals by phone
- Food Bank – weekly supplemental food bags
- Emergency Assistance – limited financial assistance to avoid eviction or loss of utilities
- Community Programs – support, training and services for individuals, groups and businesses
- Disaster Recovery & Relief – from natural disasters that affect the community
Volunteer With Financial Support
Our Financial Support program is in need of volunteers Monday through Friday from 9:00-12:00 to help answer the phones and greet clients who come in for Financial Support services. Job tasks include notifying staff when clients arrive, answering calls, transferring calls and/or taking messages. Staff will train volunteers and be available when there are questions. If you are interested in volunteering with Financial Support, please contact , or .
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How To Get Help
Anyone experiencing a crisis of any kind can call or text the crisis phone number listed below:
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank resources:
- Crisis Text/Call: 1-855-325-4296
- Food Bank: 319-351-0128
Hillary Ojeda covers breaking news and public safety for the Press-Citizen. Reach her at 319-339-7345, or follow her on Twitter at @hillarymojeda.
Volunteers Are The Heart Of Community
Our clients depend on a diverse group of hundreds of volunteers who keep our programs running smoothly. Each year, volunteers donate more than 30,000 hours of their time to CommUnity Crisis Services. We have many opportunities, and you dont have to choose just one. Only one application is needed for consideration of multiple positions.
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What We Do
A crisis can be anything problems with family or friends, divorce, serious illness, roommate trouble, school-related stress, substance abuse struggles, suicidal feelings the list is endless. Or it could be a series of small problems that together have become overwhelming. When any situation has become too difficult for you to cope with alone, we can help. Everyone at CommUnity is passionate about treating those in crisis as valuable human beings. In Linn County we provide crisis intervention services through our 24/7 hotline, crisis chat, and text services. In Johnson County we offer mobile crisis outreach, a food bank, several mobile food pantry locations throughout the month, and an emergency assistance program for urgent financial needs.