The director of the state’s largest food bank says there’s been a “sharp increase” in demand for free food in the past two months. Karen Ford of the Food Bank of Iowa says summertime can be a difficult time for families which qualify for free or reduced-price school breakfast and lunch programs during the school year.Ford says her agency helps many families who have parents working low-wage jobs, so they don’t qualify for food stamps or other government assistance.The Food Bank of Iowa is located in Des Moines and serves 250 charities in 42 counties.

Radio Iowa