As food prices rise and food benefits face cuts, a regional food bank is gearing up for its largest fundraiser of the year.
The food bank is kickstarting its six-week Student Hunger Drive on Monday, September 21, marking 40 years. Avery Owens is the development director for the River Bend Food Bank.
“The food that they raise lasts us for months, and it keeps our warehouse full,” Owens said in a phone interview with WVIK. “And it's a good way to add— to teach these children when they're going door to door or when they're doing their fundraisers at the game. It's a good way for them to be advocates and explain to the community that there is hunger in the area.”
Fifteen schools in the region are participating, such as Alleman High School; Assumption High School; Bettendorf High School; Davenport Central High School; Davenport North High School; Davenport West High School; Mid City High School; Moline High School; Morning Star Academy; North Scott High School; Orion High School; Pleasant Valley High School; Rivermont Collegiate; Rock Island High School; and United Township High School.
The schools are divided into three divisions by size to ensure an equitable competition.
While students at these schools race to collect the most food items, another meal initiative is running in tandem: the Million Meals Match - a fund drive where local businesses can donate money to bolster the total number of meals. This year, the food bank is seeking $350,000 to achieve its goal of providing an additional one million meals.
“We asked the students to raise 1 million meals, so we challenged the business community to also raise 1 million meals, and thanks to that initiative last year, we raised over 3 million meals,” Owens said.
Owens notes last year the drive occurred during a government shutdown, and part of the mission was educating students on the impacts of paused funds for food programs.
“This year we're dealing with SNAP cuts, so we're able to talk with them about SNAP providing 9 meals for every 1 meal we provide and the economic difference that it makes when you purchase food at a retailer and what cutting SNAP looks like,” Owens said. “So, it's just a very good way for them to be educated and for them to continue to be the people in our community advocating for us and teaching the next group of kids that are at the high schools how to be the best advocate and philanthropist.”
The ongoing U.S. war with Iran is driving up gas prices, with diesel recently passing the six-dollar mark in many places across the country, impacting food transportation costs. Since 2019, food prices have risen over 33%, compared with 6.4% over the prior seven and a half years. Owens states that the impact is hitting everyone in the community.
“Inflation has caused a change in what our dollar does. Last year, $1 equals 5 meals. This year, $1 equals 3 meals. That's just because of inflation and all the different cuts that everyone is facing. And the cost is constantly increasing,” Owens said.
Owens asks that those interested in participating in the hunger drive should check their pantries instead of purchasing food.
“Peanut butter, canned meat, canned fruit, canned vegetables, soups and stews. We tell people if they're clearing out their cabinets, that's a really good place to start, but don't run to the store and fill up a cart because our dollar goes so much further here with our purchasing power,” Owens said.
The public kickoff will be held at the food bank’s Davenport warehouse, 2010 Kimmel Drive, Monday night, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. The Student Hunger Drive Finale Rally to cap off the six-week drive will be held Thursday, Nov. 5.
“There's a lot of other initiatives that are taking place at football games or within their high schools altogether. So just keep an open ear and keep an eye out on all of the student hunger drive things that are happening,” Owens said. “We have all the major cities and some outlier areas covered for high schools signed up. So there's a lot of different ways that you can participate and support these students. You can also go to our website and donate through our website. If you have a specific high school you'd like to donate to, you can give through that page. Or you can just give through our giving page and note Student Hunger Drive. And then if you want to volunteer, there's always volunteer opportunities available and you can sign up on our website as well.”
Since the Student Hunger Drive began in 1986, over 21 million meals have been provided to food insecure residents.
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