CAME TO THIS SPECIAL EVENT. AND AS STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM, THE FOOD BANK OF IOWA IS ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY FOR STUDENTS. ACCORDING TO THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, 42% OF IOWA STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH IN THE EVENINGS. ON WEEKENDS, DURING BREAKS, OR WHEN SCHOOL IS CANCELED. THERE CAN BE UNCERTAINTY FOR SOME CHILDREN AND KNOWING WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM. THE FOOD BANK HELPS FAMILIES THROUGH ITS SCHOOL PANTRY PROGRAM AND BACKPACK PROGRAM. BOTH GIVE FOOD TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT’S GREAT THAT THERE’S A RECOGNITION THAT KIDDOS NEED TO HAVE FOOD WHEN THEY’RE MISSING THOSE SCHOOL MEALS, AND THEN TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW, IT’S, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR THERE WASN’T A PROGRAM IN PLACE. AND SO WE’RE REALLY EXCITED THIS YEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, WE’RE ABLE TO DO THIS. AND THE FOOD BANK ALSO PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS TO ESTABLISH ON SITE PANTRIES. vlog WILL BE LIVE AT MULTIPLE SCHOOLS HERE IN THE METRO THROUGHOUT MONDAY MORNING. TO HELP MAP OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AS KIDS, HEAD BACK TO CLASS. COVERA
Food Bank of Iowa addresses student food insecurity with new programs
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Updated: 6:12 PM CDT Aug 24, 2025
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The Food Bank of Iowa is addressing food insecurity for students as they return to the classroom by implementing school pantry and backpack programs. According to the Iowa Department of Education, 42% of Iowa students qualify for free or reduced lunch. In the evenings, on weekends, during breaks, or when school is canceled, there can be uncertainty for some children in knowing where their next meal is coming from.The food bank helps families through its school pantry program and backpack program, both of which provide food to students and their families."It's great that there's a recognition that kiddos need to have food when they're missing those school meals and then to be able to do something about it," said Tami Nielsen, Food Bank of Iowa president and CEO. "You know, last year there wasn't a program in place. And so we're really excited this year that, you know, we're able to do this."The Food Bank also partners with schools to establish on-site pantries.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Food Bank of Iowa is addressing food insecurity for students as they return to the classroom by implementing school pantry and backpack programs.
According to the Iowa Department of Education, 42% of Iowa students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
In the evenings, on weekends, during breaks, or when school is canceled, there can be uncertainty for some children in knowing where their next meal is coming from.
The food bank helps families through its school pantry program and backpack program, both of which provide food to students and their families.
"It's great that there's a recognition that kiddos need to have food when they're missing those school meals and then to be able to do something about it," said Tami Nielsen, Food Bank of Iowa president and CEO. "You know, last year there wasn't a program in place. And so we're really excited this year that, you know, we're able to do this."
The Food Bank also partners with schools to establish on-site pantries.
