Welcome to River Bend Foodbank!
Last year the foodbank distributed over 4.5 million pounds of surplus food to our 300 member agencies that serve the hungry in 22 counties in Iowa and Illlinois. Last year alone, River Bend Foodbank saved our member agencies a collective $5 million!
Local Pork Producers Donate More Than 2,000 Pounds of Pork to River Bend Foodbank
Pork producers from the Knox County Pork Producers donated more than 2,000 pounds of ground pork to the River Bend Foodbank as part of Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois initiative. Thrushwood Farms contributed to the cause by processing the meat at a reduced rate. Pictured R to L: Jim Hankes, Thrushwood farms; Don & Rebecca Erickson, Pork Producers, Triple E Farms; Steve Main, Pork Producer; Bob & Jan Clark, FISH Food Pantry in Galesburg and Dave Scholl, Rescue Mission. This donation will provide more than 8,000 servings of protein to people in the River Bend Foodbank service area. USDA recommends meat protein as part of a well-balanced and nutritious diet, yet it is often difficult for food banks to maintain an adequate supply. Thanks to all those who made this much needed food donation possible!
RICFB Young Farmers Help Feed the Hungry.
River Bend Foodbank was presented with a check for the amount of $825 which we will be able to put towards the purchase of food for the Backpack Program. Pictured Left to right: Tom Laughlin, Executive Director of the River Bend Foodbank and Young Farmer CoChairs – Mike and Amy Saddoris of Port Byron.
Tyson donates truckload of frozen chicken during RAGBRAI
River Bend Foodbank received more than 30,000 pounds of donated foods from Tyson Foods Inc. on Friday in conjunction with company sponsorship of the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI. Tyson Foods donated 500 pounds per mile to food bank affiliates of American’s Second Harvest in Quad-Cities, Des Moines, Ottumwa and Waterloo this week. This cannot come at a better time with demand is at an all-time high and our distribution limited only by the amount and quality of our donations, Protein base items are hard for us to obtain through our regular donations. This donation will fill a huge void for member agencies and the clients they serve.
Farm Bill Now Law!
As you may know, Congress heard your voices loud and clear and voted last week to override the President’s veto of the Farm Bill, officially making the bill public law on May 22, 2008. As a network, along with other food banks and their agencies across the country, we generated more than 4,600 emails, faxes and letters to Members of Congress urging them to vote in favor of the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill represents a significant victory for the more than 35 million Americans facing food insecurity and makes significant progress in moving toward our collective vision of a hunger free America.