Recognizing the challenges that our nation’s food banks face in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Knights of Columbus Leave No Neighbor Behind Fund will financially support food banks in areas most impacted by the coronavirus. Started with a million-dollar donation from the international organization based in New Haven, CT, the Leave No Neighbor Behind Fund is providing immediate relief to depleted food banks in more than 20 hard-hit cities across the United States and Canada.
The Iowa State Council of the Knights of Columbus has sounded a call to action to its 243 Iowa councils to provide aid in donations of goods and money to the local food banks and pantries in the state. Recognizing the need to spark financial giving, the state leadership has directed a total gift of $6,000 to be shared among the six regional food banks across the state:
Northeast Iowa Food Bank- Waterloo
River Bend Food Bank- Davenport,
Food Bank of Iowa- Des Moines
HACAP- Cedar Rapids/ Iowa City
Food Bank of the Siouxland- Sioux City
Food Bank of the Heartland- Council Bluffs/ Omaha, NE
The goal is to reach out during this pandemic to the most vulnerable through those organizations that can directly influence the community in which they reside. Providing meals and other necessities to those critically impacted. These funds along with additional donations from local councils and assemblies will certainly aid in this effort. With each $1000 donation, the Iowa Knights of Columbus contributed to providing 4,000 meals.
State Deputy/CEO Paul Lee presented the checks on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 to Barb Prather, Executive Director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, representing the six food banks.
During the presentation, he remarked, “Knights of Columbus throughout Iowa has strived to support food insecurities in homes, communities, and churches throughout Iowa for decades. Through our Food for Families programs, our annual collection of non-perishable food items at our state leadership gatherings, and through these donations connected with the Leave No Neighbor Behind initiative. Knights of Columbus continue to Rise Up and Share God’s Joy.”
It is the goal that nearly $250,000 is raised to support our local food banks and pantries across the state, as one additional means to Leave No Neighbor Behind.