A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO
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FOOD for THOUGHT
t h e b e t t e r ...
hange f or
SPRING 2021 NEWSLETTER
C RIVERBENDFOODBANK.ORG
A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO
I just got my first COVID-19 shot. But it does not have to be that way. This country wastes
There was something that felt 1/3 of the food we produce. That is enough food to feed
victorious about it. This invisible everyone. We just have to quit throwing it away.
enemy came into our lives now Not unlike development of the COVID-19 vaccine, River
more than a year ago and caused Bend Food Bank has been on a mission to do what it
tremendous devastation. But it is takes to put an end to hunger in the communities we
not going to win. We figured out serve. We are now distributing THREE TIMES as much
Michael P. Miller what it took to overcome it, and food as we were just six years ago. And we plan to
President & CEO we got it done. Once I get my continue that growth until every person is fed.
second shot, I can hug people
and shake hands again. I cannot wait. This newsletter tells you about the next step in that
growth, the announcement of our branch location in
It struck me that this is like hunger in way too many Galesburg, IL. Opening our first branch in Dubuque, IA
people’s lives. Now one in seven people and one in has made such a difference in that community that
four children do not have enough food. For them, it is we are now continuing with that strategy to the south.
devastating. It inhibits their ability to learn, to work, to There are 50 of our partner agencies located closer to
be active and healthy.
(continued on page 2)
A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO (continued from cover)
Galesburg than Davenport, and with the opening of the point. I trust you will stick with us until that glorious day
Galesburg branch later this year, all will be less than an in our future when every man, woman, and child in the 23
hour’s travel to get food. counties we serve goes to bed having eaten.
We also bring you the second half of my discussion with That will truly be victorious.
the Martin Luther King Jr. Center about how we can
address the disproportionate impact hunger has on people
of color. Solving that problem is essential to ending hunger.
But just like COVID-19, we can overcome the hunger Michael P. Miller
pandemic. With your help, we are getting it done. President & CEO
You have my heartfelt thanks for helping us get to this Share your story: riverbendfoodbank.org/sharestory
TOGETHER, WE GROW: Part Two
Addressing Racial Disparities in Food Insecurity
The conference room at the Martin
Luther King, Jr. Center echoes
with only three people talking,
spaced apart at two long tables
to maintain distance. It’s a cold
January afternoon in 2021, just a
month before the “anniversary” of
the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jerry Jones, Executive Director of
the MLK Center, Kristia Leshoure,
Facility Supervisor, and Mike Miller,
President and CEO of River Bend
Food Bank sat down to talk about
food insecurity in disproportionately
affected neighborhoods.
On systemic barriers to food security: entrusts us to provide that extra service for them, to give them a
Mike: Food insecurity is an issue in the U.S. meal when they need it. We have people in our community with
that disproportionately affects minority needs, and we want to try to meet those when we can.
populations (2.5 times more likely to Jerry: Absolutely. We saw a gentleman who, to get to our
experience food insecurity). For River Bend Thanksgiving meal (hosted outside in 2020), paid for a ride-
Food Bank, this isn’t some kind of “add- share — but only for part of the way, because that’s all he could
on” to our mission — it’s mission centric. afford — and walked the rest of the way just to get that meal.
Whatever it is in society that causes a black ONE MEAL. There’s no ‘taking advantage’ of systems there; that’s
person to be less likely to have food than a desperation for food.
white person — fixing that is central to fixing Mike: Right. If someone is in line at a food pantry, they need food.
food security and central to ending hunger. It’s not a comfortable or convenient place to be, and we should
Kristia: At our Thanksgiving dinner in 2020, make it as easy as we can for them to get the food they need.
we had a line stretching from our parking Jerry: It’s very interesting you’re addressing disparities in food
lot all the way across the street to Second security as part of your work, Mike, because we are one of those
Baptist Church. That’s heartbreaking. The organizations that sees underlying issues on a daily basis.
heart-WARMING part is that the community
2
Addressing Racial Disparities in Food Insecurity (continued)
Jerry: In the neighborhoods around the Martin Luther On working together for meaningful change:
King Jr. Center, we see food deserts, unemployment Mike: And wherever the disparity for food insecurity
and underemployment, poverty, and housing issues. is greatest, we should be distributing more food to
Creating partnerships, wrap-around services that can meet each community’s needs. We haven’t paid as
address more than one issue is really important. If the much attention to this in the past as we should. Now
right organizations come together that can focus on we are, and it will make a difference for the future.
that individual and really extend their support to get to Along with that, to meet the needs of the people
the heart of that person, the person can be successful. experiencing hunger and living this disparity, we HAVE
On ending hunger for good: to be as inclusive as possible and LISTEN to different
Mike: The way we see it, there are two ways we can perspectives to make a meaningful, positive impact
end hunger — we can feed everyone who doesn’t with our work.
have enough food and we can help people who have Jerry: Yes. To suggest that any of us would do this, to
the ability and motivation to get out of that situation try to solve these deep, systemic issues, on our own is
so they don’t need us anymore. River Bend Food Bank crazy. We have great partners who are aligned with us.
believes our mission is really to make those two things There’s an opportunity for us to now work together
meet and work on both simultaneously. And we truly and work alongside our neighbors facing these issues
believe that without ending racial disparities we will for a common goal. When we do this, we will get to an
not end hunger. answer. There’s the potential for deeper understanding
Jerry: So, how I see the MLK Center’s role in this is that and a more impactful response, because we have an
we can advocate for and promote our after-school opportunity to get to know each other more here in
program to families who need childcare, but if we the Quad Cities, to better understand each other and
notice that a child is hungry or they’re experiencing tap into our humanity, which I have faith in.
behavior issues, we need to have the connections to Kristia: Ok, when do we get started, and what do I do?
support that child’s needs and then support the family. (laughs) It’s transformative work, and we’re ready to
We need to work with you and our great community get to it.
organizations if we’re going to make more of a
widespread impact.
EXPANDING TO END HUNGER
River Bend Food Bank, Galesburg Branch
In 2020, collaboration was crucial to property, jobs, partnerships,
distributing food to the nearly 150,000 collaboration, and access,” said
people facing food insecurity across Joshua Gibb, President & CEO of
eastern Iowa and western Illinois. In the Galesburg Community Foundation.
future, it will be a defining factor The building, at 876 W. Main in Galesburg, IL — known locally as the former
to end hunger. Rheinschmidt’s Carpet Center, will serve as a secondary “hub” for food
In partnership with the Galesburg pantries in the area. The River Bend Food Bank, Galesburg Branch will save
Community Foundation, River Bend valuable time and money for nearly 50 of our current partner agencies, who
Food Bank is investing in support for currently travel more than an hour one-way to our Davenport, IA warehouse
our southern counties in a big way. (sometimes more than once a week) to pick up food. Instead, pantries in
Renovations are currently underway Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Stark, and Warren counties
to create a new River Bend Food Bank will soon be able to pick up orders more frequently and in less time at the
location in Galesburg, IL. Galesburg Branch. Pantries will be able to take more food to distribute to
“We know that food insecurity is a major those in need and can order more fresh foods like frozen proteins, dairy,
issue plaguing our community and and produce — products that are difficult for volunteers to transport by car
COVID-19 certainly highlighted this. Not over long distances.
only will this valuable partnership with The Food Bank has been positioning itself for the last several years to
River Bend Food Bank more effectively grow to meet an increased need and sustain it. The new Galesburg Branch
feed our community members, will be under construction this summer, to open by the end of 2021. The
but it also brings additional great River Bend Food Bank, Galesburg Branch is a significant step toward our
opportunities — such as a rejuvenated goal to eliminate hunger in every community we serve.
3
AGENCY HIGHLIGHT
In Their Words: First Baptist Food Pantry
Julie Henderson – Food Pantry Manager
“For me personally, I wanted to be involved with First Baptist because
of my beliefs, to help provide outreach and make a difference in our
community. This has actually been an amazing year in the face of
challenge and sadness. Last year, our numbers tripled in a week, and all
of a sudden we had to find a way to stay open just so people could get
food. In the second week, we were doing drive-through distribution in
the middle of a snowstorm. So it was weird to hear people talking about
things being shut down, because we were SO busy. A year later, we’re
finally back to more of a “normal” pace.
I’m so thrilled that Galesburg will have a hub. I immediately think of
the effect this will have on other pantries in Fulton County. I think this
Galesburg branch will have such an impact on the whole county, including
First Baptist, to get more food out to the rural areas that need it. It will be
such a blessing for the people we serve to get more fresh foods.
We’re so grateful for everyone supporting us — our parish, the volunteers, Jeff Ashwood and Jeff
the community. Their generosity makes it possible for us to do what we do, Williamson, volunteers,
for us to fulfill our mission.” unpack a fresh produce and
First Baptist Food Pantry is located at First Baptist Church in Canton, IL protein delivery
and has served Fulton county since 1984.
PANTRY 2 PORCH PROGRAM
In 2020, home delivery of products and services changed from a luxury
to a necessity for many people. We know that for many we serve,
transportation is a barrier to food security. As part of our continued efforts
to bring equity to food distribution, the Pantry 2 Porch program launched
in March 2021. This pilot initiative allows families to place food box orders
via an online form that are delivered to their home by volunteers on a
weekly basis. Driving improvement by more effectively reaching people in
need, this program will help those with limited transportation means have
access to food support. The program is currently available to families
with students in the Rock Island/Milan School District, thanks to the
generosity of the John Deere Leadership Team.
Board of Officers Directors
Trish Huber Rob Leibfried Chris Beason Michael Miller Tami Petsche
Directors Chairman Treasurer Daniel Joiner Matt O'Brien Marie Ziegler
Janet Mathis John Weber Chad Lewis Kevin O’Hara
Vice Chair/Secretary Immediate Past Chairman Jan Martin Ben Patterson
Find Food Volunteer Give
Find a pantry near See individual Host a funds drive,
you, learn if you and small group find out if your
qualify for state food opportunities near employer matches
assistance programs. you, learn how your donations, and 4010 Kimmel Drive
organization can get support River Bend Davenport, IA 52802-2404
members involved. Food Bank’s mission.
riverbendfoodbank.org
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