Iowa County Food Bank increases use limits

Due to the federal government shutdown which affected SNAP benefits beginning Nov. 1, the Iowa County Food Bank will give residents access to food six times a year rather than four, Paula Watkins, chair for Iowa County Food Bank, said last week.

Residents may still use visit the food bank only once a month.

The Iowa County Food Bank Facebook page has been updated with this information, and people can also find infomration at 211iowa.org/ by searching for food pantries.

“It's important to note that we cannot fulfill the gap, but we can do our part to help,” said Watkins. ”In September, SNAP benefits provided in Iowa County were over $127,000.00. The HACAP Food Pantries state that they can provide only one meal for every nine meals that SNAP provides.“

The Iowa County Food Bank provides emergency food assistance for individuals and families experiencing a temporary crisis who reside in Iowa County, the Food Bank says.

It provides food assistance in Marengo and in Williamsburg. Call Audrey at 319-721-7640 for assistance in Marengo. Call Suzanne at 319-668-1375 for assistance in Williamsburg.

Phones are answered Monday through Friday.

The Iowa County Food Bank is a community supported organization which receives funding from churches, civic groups, businesses and individuals. Funds are used to purchase perishable foods. Food drives provide nonperishable foods.

The nonprofit organization was incorporated in 1982 by citizens from Marengo, Williamsburg, Conroy and South Amana to provide emergency food assistance to Iowa County residents on a short-term basis. The Food Bank is entirely operated by volunteers.

The Food Bank provides canned and dry goods as well as gift certificates for perishables to Brothers Market or Big G. A food package provides enough food for five to seven days, the Food Bank said.

The Food Bank also provides some toiletry items, such as toilet paper.

The Food Bank suggests the following items for donations to food drives: canned tuna, canned spaghetti sauce, spaghetti, Saltines, peanut butter, pancake mix or Bisquick mix, pancake syrup, cereal, canned soup, Ramen, Minute Rice or rice mixes, pork and beans, chili beans, macaroni and cheese, hamburger helper, canned fruit.

Monetary donations may be made to the Iowa County Food Bank account at Farmer’s Trust and Savings Bank in Williamsburg or sent to: Iowa County Food Bank, P.O. Box 1121, Williamsburg, IA 52361.