Siouxland's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating the Selfless Efforts to Fight HungerSioux City, Iowa - The Food Bank of Siouxland recently held its annual Celebrate Our Friends event, honoring the dedicated individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the fight against hunger in the Siouxland region. This annual celebration shines a light on the unsung heroes who tirelessly work to ensure that no one in their community goes without access to nutritious food.

Empowering the Next Generation to Make a Difference

Volunteer of the Year: Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School Students

The Food Bank of Siouxland recognized the students of Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School's Transition Alliance Program (TAP) as the Volunteer of the Year. These students dedicated their time, often on a weekly basis during the school year, to pack bread into boxes at the food bank's warehouse for distribution to local agencies. Through this hands-on experience, the students not only learned valuable skills like task management and teamwork but also gained a deeper understanding of the importance of community service and giving back.Tara Wedel, a teacher at Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School, expressed the students' enthusiasm and appreciation for their time at the food bank. "We are so thankful to have the ability to volunteer and help our community while gaining some really great work experience. The kids really enjoy our time at the Food Bank and are so pleased with everything they have learned about helping others, learning new tasks, staying on task, and teamwork."

Empowering the Next Generation to Fight Hunger

The recognition of the Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School students as the Volunteer of the Year highlights the importance of engaging young people in the fight against hunger. By providing them with hands-on opportunities to contribute, the Food Bank of Siouxland is not only addressing immediate needs but also cultivating a new generation of community leaders and advocates. These students are not only learning valuable skills but also developing a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to making a positive impact on their local community.

Collaborative Efforts to Tackle Food Insecurity

Agency of the Year: Sioux City Metro Area

The Food Bank of Siouxland recognized Voices for Food as the Agency of the Year for the Sioux City Metro area. This partnership, which began in 2016, has allowed Voices for Food to ensure that people in the community receive not only non-perishable food items but also fresh produce from their Community Garden Program.Brenda Sale, the coordinator of Voices for Food, expressed her gratitude for the Food Bank's support, stating, "In 10 years, we've been able to put over 100,000 lbs. of produce back into the food system in cooperation with all the food we get from the Food Bank. They've been an amazing partner for us and we're super appreciative of all of their efforts to help us feed people in Dakota County."The partnership between the Food Bank and Voices for Food has had a significant impact, with the program distributing nearly 32,000 pounds of food to 80 to 100 households per month in 2024 alone, providing more than 433,000 meals to those in need.

Agency of the Year: Rural Siouxland

The second Agency of the Year award was presented to Community Basket, a charity organization based in Moville, Iowa. The Food Bank of Siouxland recognized Community Basket as one of the first mobile pantries to join their efforts in 2012, playing a crucial role in reaching communities where access to nutritious food is a challenge.Kris Gunderson, the chairman of Community Basket, expressed the organization's gratitude for the award and the support of the Food Bank. "We deal with the effects of being a food desert with 5 communities that have no grocery stores. On behalf of Community Basket, we are really grateful for this award and what the Food Bank does for us so that we can reach those people in our area."The Food Bank of Siouxland's partnership with Community Basket has enabled the organization to bring thousands of pounds of food to these underserved communities, ensuring that families in rural Siouxland have access to the nourishment they need.

Honoring Longstanding Supporters

The Linda Scheid Legacy Award

The Linda Scheid Legacy Award is presented to individuals or organizations that have provided unwavering support to the Food Bank of Siouxland over the years, contributing to the bank's mission. This year, the award was bestowed upon two remarkable organizations.

Curly's Food: A Decade of Protein Donations

One of the recipients of the Linda Scheid Legacy Award was Curly's Food, a local organization that has partnered with the Food Bank of Siouxland for the past 10 years. During this time, Curly's Food has consistently donated over 1 million pounds of protein products, which the Food Bank has distributed through its mobile pantries and other initiatives.Bobbie Bures, a representative from Curly's Food, expressed the organization's commitment to ensuring that no one in Siouxland goes hungry. "We are committed to ensuring that no one goes hungry, especially our local neighbors in need and our communities where we operate. Through our monthly protein donation, we are honored to take a bite out of hunger in the greater Siouxland area to help support Iowans facing food insecurity."

The Kind World Foundation: A Decade of Unwavering Support

The Kind World Foundation was the second recipient of the Linda Scheid Legacy Award, recognized for its steadfast support of the Food Bank of Siouxland since 2010. The foundation's initial $10,000 donation to the food bank's backpack program laid the groundwork for a lasting partnership.Over the years, the Kind World Foundation has continued to support the Food Bank's Childhood Hunger Initiatives, providing $25,000 in grant funding. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the community in 2020, the foundation stepped up with a $30,000 donation to aid the Food Bank's food purchasing efforts, as the need for assistance skyrocketed.Marcia Waitt, the executive director of the Kind World Foundation, expressed the organization's appreciation for the award and its commitment to expanding its impact. "This is super cool and very exciting. The food rescue program is our newest contribution, and this is where we have a partnership with an Omaha organization. We've now partnered with the Food Bank to have conversations on how to do this and how complicated this is to try to rescue food that would just get thrown away."The Food Bank of Siouxland's Celebrate Our Friends event serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that can be achieved when individuals and organizations come together to address the pressing issue of hunger in their community. By recognizing the selfless efforts of volunteers, agencies, and long-term supporters, the event not only celebrates their contributions but also inspires others to join the fight against food insecurity.