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 their story on pg.3)

Read how a northeast Iowa couple has chosen to redefine what retirement looks like.

BETTER TOGETHER

Hear how you’ve helped them this year.(More on pg. 6)

WINTER 2018

OUR CLIENTS SAY “THANK YOU DONORS”

Barb PratherExecutive Director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank

Our Board

Our Staff

From The Director

Grant Gubbrud, ChairKirsten Juhl, Vice ChairCheryl Erb, SecretaryRick Jaacks, Treasurer

Linda AllenAustin BeckBob Brokaw

Houston CampbellAlly Crutcher

Ken CuttsEmily GirschGreg Greazel

Leonard Hanson

Darren D. Herum Phil Jones

Paul Jungen IIBarbara KramerCorey LorenzenMike MessererJeanne MillerLouise Scott

Sheila Wilson

Ex Officio:Reggie SchmittChris Schwartz

Sept. 28th & Sept. 29th

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For nearly two years we have been focused on Closing the Meal gap-and keeping it closed, in northeast Iowa, and keeping it closed. By closing it we will try to ensure than anyone in northeast Iowa will have access to food re-sources when they need them. But while we strive to do that, we also must make sure we are making an impact in our community and changing lives. That was more apparent to me than ever before in the past month.

First, our BackPack Program; due to unfortunate events, one school almost didn’t get their backpacks to hand out. It was an hour before dismissal when the mistake was found. The student volunteers put their thinking caps on and using their resources and planning skills were able to make a potentially bad situation better and get 50 students their backpacks. The students focus was ensuring kids had food for the weekend not on the fact a mistake was made.

Secondly, the other day a donor came in and gave us a donation. It was a donation made from the heart-as most are made. Her comments to me were “no one should go hungry, if I can help, I will.” She wanted to help in a way that would ensure that families would not go hungry.

Finally, our Holiday Distribution; from other parts of this newsletter you can read more about that event. I want to share with you a story that really gave me pause to once again reassure me we are on the right path and vi-sion. Right before Thanksgiving a family’s car broke down and they needed to get it fixed. They knew, however, if they fixed their car, they wouldn’t be able to provide a Thanksgiving meal for their family. Then came, in the mail, our letter of invitation to come and get food for Thanksgiving. This family was very grateful, because now they didn’t have to make a choice, they could have both. A community coming together to help a family.

Funding assists us in providing the program, volunteers who want to make a difference by ensuring the kids in their schools get food and a family, who had a tough choice to make but found a solution. You, our donors and volunteers were there to assist us in making an impact on the families and children the Food Bank serves. The big picture is closing the meal gap and keeping it closed, the bottom line, however is that this vision is spurring people to act and be involved to make a difference in their community.

Thank you for your support and helping us make a difference in the lives of those we serve…

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 CoordinatorAlan Boeckmann, Inventory Specialist

Dan Bohnker, Group Volunteer CoordinatorRyan Brown, Warehouse Custodian

Joslyn Canfield, Agency ServicesMaddie Christensen, Individual Volunteer Coordinator

Debra Eckerman, Driver/Warehouse CoordinatorJim Flood, Warehouse Foreman

Rhianna Galema, Network Relations CoordinatorBrent Groomes, Warehouse

Tia Gutierrez,, Network Services CoordinatorBryan Helleso, Marketing Manager

Melissa Hicok, Accounting & HR ManagerAndrea Houston, Pantry Service Assistant

Bobbi Jacobs-Craus, Grant & Contract CoordinatorAgnes Kress, Community Events ManagerRhonda McBride, Pantry Services Manager

Sherm McNeal, Kids Cafe CoordinatorAndrew Mohr, Network Service Assistant

Tammy Morrison, Admin AssistantCaren Rhoads, Janitor

Tom Roschen, Fleet Coordinator/DriverRon Sichra, Perishable Foods CoordinatorLisa Spitler, SNAP Outreach Coordinator

Doug Stufflebeam, Warehouse/DriveTom Swalin, Operations Manager

Robert Vanlengen, WarehouseMara Warnke, Pantry Service Assistant

Leo White, Food Room CoordinatorFreddie Williams, Receiving CoordinatorEmily Yoder, Culinary Programs Manager

Daniel Chavez, Americorps VISTAClare Magalaner, Americorps VISTA

Our Board

2018 Fall Sack Lunch Delivery

2018 Student Food Drive

Hunger Action Month

2018 National Day of Service

10th Annual Empty Bowls

To wrap up Hunger Action Month, we used our commercial kitchen to create delicious Sack Lunches for Cedar Valley businesses and organizations to purchase.

Each Sack Lunch purchased provides us with an additional $8 we can use to feed 32 northeast Iowans.

Stay tuned for more details on our Spring Edition!

From October 1st to November 11th, eight Cedar Valley high schools competed in the 2018 edition

of the Student Food Drive, and collected 66,172 meals! The top contributing schools were Cedar

Falls High School, Hudson High School, and Waterloo Christian High School.

Hunger Action Month is every September, where food banks across the nation alongside Feeding

America work to spread awareness on hunger. Highlights include the Stone Soul Picnic’s $25,000 BackPack fundraiser and The International Food

Tasting event, bringing in $20,000.

Each January we are honored to take part in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. Last year, we had a record breaking turnout at Maucker

Union on The University of Northern Iowa’s campus, with nearly 15,000 BackPacks assembled by over 300 volunteers. Be on the lookout for more information!

Mark your calendars for our 10th Annual Empty Bowls, a night of music, endless soup, raffles, and an auction!

Sept. 28th & Sept. 29th

Oct. 1st - Nov. 11th

Sept. 1st -30th

Monday, Jan. 21st. 2019

Friday, March 29th 2019

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

DID YOU MISS THIS?

Getting Involved | Past & Upcoming Events

PAGE | 2 PAGE | 2

MAKING “GETTING INVOLVED” LOOK EASY

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

PARTNERS IN TIMEIngredients | Volunteers, Donors, & Advocates

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HONORARIUMS

In October of 2015 we had just completed Hunger Action Month, our annual month of awareness and advocacy, and were in the beginning stages of kicking off our annual 6 week Student Food Drive. With the last 4 months of the year being our most active season, we were pleasantly surprised to hear of a couple from Waterloo who were interested in volunteering with us.

Dennis and Dianne Gaudian were in the beginning stages of their retirement at this time, trying to figure out what “being retired” would look like for them. Throughout both of their careers, both Dennis and Dianne had not experienced a lot of leisure time.

Dianne soon found herself back volunteering at the-school she used to work at. However, after spending the majority of their working lives apart for 8-10 hours a day, Dennis and Dianne soon realized that if they could volunteer together, they could enjoy their re-tirement together. But was this too much to ask? They soon realized that it certianly was not.

It wasn’t until they met a stranger who would recom-mend the Northeast Iowa Food Bank as a place where their skills, interests and livelihoods could be put to use. They became immediatly interested, and they chose to get involved by volunteering in our Cedar Valley Food Pantry, where they could have a good time together and give a good time to others as well. Dianne spends her time with us helping out in the pantry, as-sisting clients with food selection, helping them check out, and assisting them with their groceries. Dennis on the other hand, remains primarily behind the scenes, moving between the hallways of our warehouse and the Cedar Valley Food Pantry, as he retrieves food from the warehouse and stocks the shelves of our pantry.

In the last year alone, the Gaudians have volunteered over 570 hours and have donated over 1,000 meals to hungry northeast Iowans. Together they have exempli-fied what it means to get involved by volunteering with us, donating to us, and advocating for us. They are truly an extension of our staff and we greatly appreci-ate the work they do with us.

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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Mary Alter by M.D. & J.L. ScarbroughSoumya & Shravanee Bhaltadak by Nitin BhaltadakDelza J. Brown VanArsdale by Redonna J. ParkerShirley Burbridge by AnonymousPaul and Ardith Goings by Susan Koppmann Jan Hartmann by Gene & Pat LeonhartRichard Kerns by Randolph & Beth SaddBrad & Jennifer Kneeland by Brads Staff Dave Kreul by Debra MoserGene & Pat Leonharts 50th Anniversary by Arlin & Beverly SchmidtLee & Amy Lindgren by Rocco & Jeanie ScaturroJohn McCarty by Gene & Pat LeonhartM. Bernadette McCoy by John & Margaret McCoyRoberta Plattenberger by Mitra Sadeghpour Thanks to the Stedman & Johansen families “Proud to help West Union.” by Rollyn StedmanDelza J. Van Arsdale Brown by Redonna J. ParkerHudson United Methodist Church by Edward & Marlys SmithOur daughters Crista, Tiffany, & Alesha by Connie K NordmanIn honor of my deceased family members and those here with me. by Karon Gram Ocwen Financial - Corporate Training Team by Bonnie Patrick “I would like to honor all those who down on their luck, who never thought they would need help.” by Wanda Miller “Happy 80th Birthday Dad!... We love you and wish you many, many more!!” by Jeanine Scaturro“In honor of Paula Steimel at Cedar valley Hos-pice Beast Boss Ever!!!” by Anonymous

Dick Addington by Dorothy AddingtonEdith Alexander by Linda ZaputilTed & Lena Becker by John BeckerViolet Becker by Fredric & Carolyn BeckerLutjen & Anna Beenken by Gary & Lynn NeilAaron Berns by Gregory BernsCindy Brown by Denise BrownReginold Bullis by Richard & Marcia BechtholdRosemary Carney by Bettie MatthiasSharon Carpenter by Linda ZaputilJudy Chelle by Jon & Wendy FooteKenneth “Moose” Clark by Steve & Peggy GuthrieKenneth “Moose” Clark by Larry & Laurel BorchardtGene Condon by Carmen Condon by Debbie & Walter BrotenRichard Corkery by Suzanne BembridgeMuriel & Harold Cowles by Pat KobliskaJohn Creasey by Kathleen KriegScott Eberling by Lee Allan EberlingSJeff Ersland by Lorraine BakerAlex Etringer by Kenny & Robin EtringerDottie Freeland by Lorraine BakerTony Giannini by Janet GianniniDon Gobeli by Steve PrescottPaul and Ardith Goings by Susan Koppmann Jack Grosse by Mary GrosseLewis Hanna by Opal HannaDaniel Harrington by Rita HarringtonVirgina Heerts by Reginald SchmittTravis Hildebrandt by Mary GrosseElsie Irons by Ric & Betty ZarwellDelores Kroeger by D KroegerIrene Mateyka Stocker by David & Susan FeltmanSofia Montgomery by Zak & Sarah MontgomeryCharlotte Ann Nelson by Juliann Nelson-Duffy Neil Nordman by Connie NordmanDaniel Peters by Robert & Jolene WyattLee Platt by Lorraine Baker

Evelyn Poulin by Donald & Suzanne Melcher by Robert & Linda Dahlgaard by Reece & Deanne Miller by Marcella Dunnwald by Cindy & Pat Gronigan by Betty & W.E. Wexter by George & Carol Clark by Theodore Schaefer by Sid Bunger by Doris WhiteRev. Dale Rausch by Mary MauerRandy Reed by Kenny & Robin EtringerBetty Reeg by Jean BaconAngie Reemtsma by David & Susan FeltmanJim Reicks by James & Shari ReicksNicolas Scott Remfrey by Dwayne Johnson Darlyce Sandrock by Redeemer Church Shirley Schoen by Debra & James KnudsonBernard & Margaret Schons by John BeckerCharles (Sam) Shaffer by His Family Lowell Sovereign by Molly & Irv MyronJudith Spragle by Michael & Elizabeth Sulentic by Barbara & Larry Newhouse by Larry & Claudia Kaestner by Julie & Michael CartneyGeorge Oluf Stokker by Kathleen StokkerRev. Dr. Robert Tollefson by David & Susan FeltmanJames VanArkel by David VanArkel by Larry & Margaret NiswanderLa Dora Wehling by Erwin WehlingEsther Winning by Sandra DerifieldPhil Winther by Richard & Marcia BechtholdBill Zaputil by Linda ZaputilShirley by David & Linda MalamOur Mother by Mrs. Marcella DunnwaldOur Parents by H.D. & L.L. Payne

MEET THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF OUR STAFFIT TAKES A TEAM

In order to pull off 3% overhead in an organization that operates in 16 counties, distributes 6.7 million meals annually, and serves over 200 nonprofits, programs and communities in northeast Iowa, one things stands above all the rest in terms of its value: our staff. When unemployment appears to be lower, we tend see more part-time/minimum wage jobs being filled, having a drastic effect reducing the food assistance that many of our working-class seniors and blue collar families receive due to even slight increases in their paychecks. When this happens, our pantry sees a sharp rise in usage. In order to meet this need, we strive to remain open during a myriad of hours that accommodate for the wide variety of shift work our clients have. So, we added two new members to our Pantry Services team. As a results both Mara Warnke and Andrea Houston have joined our ranks as Pantry Service Assistants.

While we experienced an increase in our pantry’s activity, we also saw an increased need for our Kids Cafe sites to expand into other areas. Needing to add 6 new sites in the Cedar Valley, we hired on Sherm McNeal, a longtime kitchen volunteer who was welcomed with open arms.

While we saw the need in the Cedar Valley incease, we also saw the same need coming in from our other 15 counties. We began by hiring Andrew Mohr, our Network Services Assistant to aid in coordinating the food orders of our partners across northeast Iowa. To get more food out, we were needed help managing our inventory, and that’s when we welcomed Alan Boeckmann to the team. Once we knew how we were going to deal with this increase in food, we would need to add more delivery routes, and that’s when Debra Eckerman joined our ranks as our Driver and Warehouse Coordinator. And with all this new activity in our Warehouse, we needed someone to help us keep our facility up to compliance, so Ryan Brown was hired as our new Warehouse Custodian.

Helping the public put on events, food drives and fundraisers for us, is an integral piece in how we spread awareness, especially during the busy end-of-year season. In September, we were able to hire a full-time Community Events Manager, Agnes Kress, who will be actively interfacing with hundreds of community causes supporting us each year.

As the holidays arrive and we celebrate family, we would like to tell you how thankful we are for your continued support and believing in our work, our mission and our family here at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.

IT’S EASIER THAN EVER TO BECOME A RECURRING DONOR

Utensils | The Tools We Need To Close The Meal Gap

YOUR DONATIONS ALLOW US TO KEEP DOING THE JOBS WE LOVE. CONSIDER BECOMING A RECURRING DONOR!

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HEAR HOW YOU MADE AN IMPACT

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.

NORTHEAST IOWA THANKS YOU!

Serving Size | 46,440 Hungry Northeast Iowans

After serving over 3,000 families this Thanksgiving, we received an enormous number of thank you’s from our clients. Because we couldn’t do this without you, we wanted to share some of the testimonials that stuck out to us as we concluded our annual Holiday Distribution, and we also wanted to remind you that as you lend your donations, your time, and your voices to our mission, they are appreciated and they mean the world to so many people, including us.

“We don’t make enough to eat and keep food in the refrigerator. We have to choose between rent or prescription drugs, and foods not even an option. My refrigerator is usually empty until I come to the pantry for the month. Otherwise I’m having to choose between rent or my medicine. So I just want you to know it is helpful and everything is appreciated so much.”

“The Food Bank helps me because I run short on money for groceries. I have a daughter who is hearing impaired and with the extra cost of getting her to Iowa City for her hearing aid checkups and buying hearing aid batteries, by the end of the month I struggle with my food bill.”

“The food pantry really helped the these last few months. My mom died in May so now its just me and my sister. The food we get from you really, really helps.”

“I just wanted you to know that you couldn’t have picked a better time to send out a [Thanksgiving] letter. Earlier this week we found out that we needed 2 new tires on our car. We couldn’t find used ones, and otherwise it looked like we were going to be stranded until we could figure out where to scrape up the money. If we were going to have food we wouldn’t have tires. If we had tires we wouldn’t have food. We weren’t going to have Thanksgiving if we bought tires. We labored and labored over it. I just wanted to let you know what a difference it made.”

TIP: JUST $25 CAN FILL A FAMILY’S GROCERY CART AT A FOOD PANTRY

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OUR THANKS.YOUR GIVING.

- Client

- Client

- Client

- Client

FOR SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITYTHANK YOU

Cedar Falls Police Department

St. Edward Church

Kwik Trip, Inc.

Aspro | Parking Lot Maintence

First Presbyterian Church

Westminster Presbyterian Church

R & N Investment Properties, LC

Wheaton Franscican Healthcare | Mobile Food Pantry Support

Community Bank & Trust - Waterloo

Pipestone Holdings, LLC.

MidAmerican Energy

American Fundraising Professionals | “Gift of Heart for Governance” Award

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

Schildroth Farms

BE STRATEGIC ABOUT YOUR TAXESFACT: END OF YEAR GIVING CAN SAVE YOU MONEY BY DECREASING YOUR TAXABLE INCOME

The end of the year is coming up, which means your last chances to make tax-deductible charitable donations are also coming. You have until the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve to make a donation that can be deducted on your 2017 tax returns. There’s also a new rule to help you: if you are 70 ½ or older, you can donate directly from your IRA, reducing your taxable income, therefore lowering your taxes without worrying about itemized deductions. If

you want to take advantage of these tax benefits and support our work, call us at 319-235-0507 or visit www.northeastiowafoodbank.org/donate today!