It is no secret that food insecurity has been growing since the pandemic, and that need has spiked in 2024. The Emergency Food Box in Marshalltown is no different.  They are unique as they are completely volunteer led. The volunteers line up 70 different drop offs or pick ups of food with local organizations throughout the month.

That is Gary Fulton the Board Chair with the Emergency Food Box. He says volunteers have a schedule they follow to pick up food from various locations across town. Cindy Staron is the volunteer that helps with operations and she looks closely at the numbers.

Recently the Food Bank of Iowa shared that they spend $1 million on food monthly. Fulton shares what it costs them per month and year.

In 2023 they served 15,000 individuals and without the month of December in 2024 they have already served 19,000 individuals this year. Learn more about the Emergency Food Box by visiting their website emergencyfoodbox.org

Zach Tomesch, News Director KFJB