Food bank keeping up with demand

The North Iowa Food for Families food bank has made a few changes as it continues to provide food for people in need during the coronavirus epidemic.

In order to maintain social distancing, food bank volunteers are boxing up food ahead of time for families, which means people don’t have all the choices they used to have when picking up food.

Food bank representative Louise Enright says people can come pick up boxes of food on Mondays from 1:30-4 p.m. North Iowa Food for Families is located at Bison Plaza on Main Street, just down the hall from Bank Agency Insurance.

The boxes of food are set out on a table in the hallway, and Enright says the only option they’re allowing people at this time is a choice between white or wheat bread.

Another change is that the food bank is not currently accepting donations of food. Instead, they are seeking monetary donations, and volunteers will purchase the groceries they need.

Enright says they had a big spike in families needing food four weeks ago, but the numbers have been pretty steady since then. As the public health crisis continues and people are laid off from work, Enright says the food bank is there to help out.

While the food bank is only open on Monday afternoons, people with emergency food needs can contact any area pastor.

North Iowa Food for Families serves the communities of Buffalo Center, Lakota, Rake, and Thompson.