The cupboards are starting to look bare in food pantries across Iowa as the relief agencies are seeing a boost in needy clients due to the sagging economy. Justin Jones runs the Upper Des Moines Opportunity Food Pantry in Webster City and says there’s a growing demand for the facility’s services.
"This has been a difficult time for everyone as far as our budgets and counting our pennies," Jones says. He says his food pantry is experiencing shortages not only due to the economy but because of the recent cold weather and the winter season ahead.
"Folks that were already struggling have to make some additional choices and it appears that a lot of folks are making that within their food budget, and thus, we are having difficulty maintaining our food pantry," Jones says. "We’re having to make extra trips to the Iowa Food Bank requesting additional donations to assure that everyone is getting what’s necessary and no one’s going without."
Jones recommends Iowans donate nonperishable food items at any food pantry in the state. There are more details on the Upper Des Moines Opportunity website.