FOOD BANKS RESPOND TO CATASTROPHIC MIDWEST FLOODING
America’s Second Harvest food banks throughout three states help with relief efforts
CHICAGO, June 14 2008 – In response to severe flooding that has displaced thousands of Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin residents, the America's Second Harvest network of food banks has mobilized to deliver needed resources to the affected communities.
The threat of flooding caused the Northeast Iowa Food Bank to cease normal operations and relocate product. The Food Bank will resume operations from their location on Monday, June 16. As the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, America’s Second Harvest prepares throughout the year for disasters of all types. As soon has flooding was predicted, members mobilized quickly to provide food directly to families and other disaster relief organizations active in the area.
On Wednesday, food bank staff members from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, and the America’s Second Harvest national office were dispatched to Iowa disaster locations to assist with on-site efforts.
“Our Food Bank’s role is to assist, through the Emergency Management office and other organizations, with product when it is needed,” said Barb Prather, executive director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. "We are providing snacks and food to areas affected, and will support the ongoing relief work in Northeast Iowa in the coming months."
“Disasters put yet another strain on working families who face hunger issues every day,” said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of America’s Second Harvest. “Thanks to the immediate efforts of our Midwest food banks, local residents will have emergency food and supplies to help make it through these difficult days.”
At this time, the America’s Second Harvest expects disaster relief expenses to be $150,000. However, that estimate is expected to rise as full damage assessment continues throughout the region. Individuals interested in making a donation to the disaster relief effort can do so by visiting www.secondharvest.org or contacting any of the food banks currently assisting with disaster relief efforts.
Those organizations are:
IOWA
Food Bank of Iowa
2220 E. 17th Street, Des Moines, IA 50316, 515-564-0330
www.myfoodbank.org
Food Bank of Southern Iowa, Inc.
225 S. Benton, PO Box 1294, Ottumwa, IA 52501, 641-682-3403
HACAP Food Reservoir (Cedar Rapids)
PO Box 490, 1515 Hawkeye Drive, Hiawatha, IA 52233
319-393-7811
www.hacap.org
Northeast Iowa Food Bank
106 E. 11th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703-4830, 319-235-0507
www.northeastiowafoodbank.org
The Nebraska Food Bank Network, Inc. (assisting with efforts in Iowa)
6824 J Street, Omaha, NE 68117-1016, 402-331-1213
www.omahafoodbank.org
INDIANA
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc.
1102 East 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-1944, 317-925-0191
www.gleaners.org
Terre Haute Catholic Charities
1356 Locust Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803, 812-232-1447
beta.archindy.org/cc/terrehaute/default.aspx?id=1378
Tri-State Food Bank
801 E. Michigan Street, Evansville, IN 47711-5631, Phone: 812-425-0775
www.tristatefoodbank.org
WISCONSIN
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718, 608-223-9121
www.secondharvestmadison.org
America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through its network of more than 200 member food banks, America's Second Harvest annually provides assistance to more than 25 million people in need, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each year, America's Second Harvest secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products to support feeding programs at approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and Kids Cafes. To learn more, please visit www.secondharvest.org .
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Contact:
Phil Zepeda
312-622-2640 (Cell)
