The Stories Behind the Numbers
September 2026
September has been unlike anything we've experienced at the Pantry, and we know why. Today, the average price of gas in our county is up to $4.36 per gallon. This winter, Iowa families will face a projected 19.7% rise in electricity costs. Grocery prices continue to outpace inflation, where household staples like ground beef have skyrocketed in price by more than 15% in the last year. In that same time, 25,000 Iowans, including all refugees and asylees, lost their SNAP benefits.
Our record-breaking service numbers are a direct result of this statewide affordability crisis. By Sept. 1, our pantry served more neighbors than all of 2025. In the last 3 months, an increasing amount of neighbors have signed up for services: 55 new families in July, 68 in August, and with one week left of September, 74 new families have signed up for services. We are now serving 27% more neighbors than this time last year. While we knew 2026 would be our busiest year yet, we couldn't have predicted what our community is facing today.
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Behind every number we share lies the story of a real neighbor experiencing food insecurity. Today, we want to uplift one of their stories.
"Because of the Pantry, I ran a marathon."
After graduating college, marrying the love of her life, and welcoming her first baby girl, this neighbor never expected to go to a food pantry. This is her story.
"One day, while dropping off clothes my daughter had outgrown, I walked into the pantry and thought, ‘why not grab a bag of groceries?’ Rather than feeling shame, I felt relief. The pantry allowed me to bring home foods that had become luxuries in our budget, especially fresh produce like cherries and grapes that we rarely purchased at the grocery store. It made it possible to cook nearly all our meals at home.
Because the pantry helps offset grocery costs, I can continue to bake for friends, my daycare provider, and people in my community; volunteer at the cat rescue; and invest time in activities that support my mental health and identity outside of being a working parent.
Something as simple as pantry fruit snacks helped fuel training for my first marathon. Crossing that finish line represented reclaiming a piece of myself. The food pantry has provided relief, dignity, community, and the ability to give back. You are giving people the gift of breathing room."
My New Year’s Eve dinner with steak and broccoli from the pantry.
Dinner rolls for my friend's baby shower out of ingredients from the pantry.
I used cornmeal from the pantry to make a beloved family recipe.
3 Ways you can help your neighbors right now
Help Us Feed Neighbors and Fight Stigma
Our online store just went live with cozy sweatshirts, fleece jackets, hats, t-shirts, and more. By purchasing these items, you're not only donating to the Pantry, you're also becoming an advocate spreading awareness in our community!
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Share This Newsletter With A Neighbor
We are a community full of neighbors helping neighbors -- but there are plenty of neighbors who won't get this in their inbox! Invite a neighbor to join our mission today.
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Give What You Can
If you're in the place to make a financial donation of any size, you can help us keep our shelves stocked and give neighbors the gift of breathing room. Every dollar you give will help your neighbors.
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Mark your calendar! Upcoming events:
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