Food banks around the state are entering their busiest time of the year. Becci Reedus, executive eirector of the Crisis Center of Johnson County, says her organization served a record amount of people in the Iowa City area in November.

The Crisis Center handed out nearly 3,600 bags of food last month to about 1,900 families. The food bank remained busy on the first day of December as Reedus prepared to open the doors at noon. “We don’t have enough room in our building some days for all the clients,” Reedus said.

“I don’t know if you’ve seen the line outside, but there’s quite a line. It would be harder if the need kept increasing and the community didn’t respond.” She says, for now, the Crisis Center has plenty of groceries on hand to meet the increased demand. Families that qualify for the help can pick up groceries and supplies from the Crisis Center of Johnson County between noon and 4:30 p.m. every day.

By Chris Earl, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids