Food Bank of Iowa’s partner pantries served more than 191,000 individuals in 55 Iowa counties, an all-time high and continuing the record-breaking numbers that have persisted the past 18 months. Thousands more sought help through meal sites supported by Food Bank of Iowa, with more than 140,000 meals served.

Annette Hacker with the Food Bank of Iowa says the situation in Iowa mirrors a new USDA report, which found millions more nationwide didn’t have enough to eat in 2022 – the largest one-year increase since 2008. The report found 12.8% of U.S. households, or 17 million, struggled to put enough food on the table. That’s up from 13.5 million households in 2021.

The USDA report showed food insecurity in Iowa at about 9%. The Census Bureau’s most recent Household Pulse Survey (Sept. 20-Oct. 2, 2023) reports 10.6% of Iowa households sometimes or often did not have enough to eat in the last seven days, which parallels the state’s poverty rate of 11%.

Hear more about how to help those in need with the new Food Drive Friday special edition news magazines, airing today at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on KNIA/KRLS, and every Friday through the end of December. Find out how to donate to the Food Bank of Iowa here.