Let's Eat! 
Did you know there were over 300,000* people, 1 in every 10, in Iowa struggling with hunger and food insecurity pre-pandemic? Unfortunately that number has continued to rise throughout the past ten months and we have seen a local increase in SNAP benefit usage, Double Up Food Buck participation, visits to MICA and heightened use of the recently-formed Grinnell Food Coalition grocery voucher program. It is clear that hunger has, and continues to, impact our community.
The Grinnell Food Coalition was established soon after the pandemic took hold, and has been working to support local families gain access to food since that time. The group recently learned of the USDA's Farmers to Families Food Box Program, having participated late last year, but now has an opportunity to expand that partnership to reach more families in our area. The group will be partnering to bring 1,188 food boxes TODAY (February 11) to Grinnell to help support individuals and families around the area in need. Each box includes approximately 30 pounds of fresh foods (apples, oranges, onions, potatoes, milk, etc) to supplement individuals who may be continuing to feel the strain caused by the pandemic. There are no income guidelines or geographical boundaries to receive a box. Individuals or families interested in receiving a box can come TODAY to 2021 Hwy 6 (see map above) between 4 & 6PM to receive a box!
I'd like to give a BIG shoutout to the Food Coalition team who helped pull today's distribution together. Less than 2 weeks ago, the group had a meeting and decided to 'go for it' to help bring this much-needed food support to our area, and today they'll be working along with a number of community volunteers to help get 1,188 boxes of food in the hands of fellow community members. A truly amazing effort!
--Rachael Kinnick
p.s. Another truck will arrive on February 25 with an additional 1,188 boxes to help support our community so if today doesn't work for you, mark this date on your calendar!
p.p.s. Last week we wrote to share about an exciting new program, Gifting Grinnell, and the first week's auction is now live! Check it out HERE.
*Data from Feeding America.
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