Marshalltown Residents Show Incredible Generosity in ‘Arresting Hunger’ Food Drive

Marshalltown residents showed their kindness during the annual Arresting Hunger Food Drive. Held outside Fareway Meat and Grocery and Hy-Vee, this event unites the Marshalltown Police Department and the Rotary Club to collect food for the Emergency Food Box and the Salvation Army. The aim? To fill police squad cars with donations.

Detective Paul Heitman, who started this drive in 2014, was thrilled with the support. In just two hours, a woman donated “boxes upon boxes” of items. He noted that even Fareway had a big cart filled with groceries thanks to their week-long collection. “We’ve seen substantial donations,” he said.

Though there was no specific target this year, they hoped to surpass last year’s haul of 920 pounds of food and $2,200. “We aim to improve each year,” Heitman shared, recognizing that sometimes food donations go up while monetary contributions dip, or vice versa.

Arresting Hunger has become a beloved tradition. Many residents eagerly ask about the event in advance, a sign of how much it means to the community. “It’s amazing to see people so excited,” Heitman noted. “They look forward to this every year.”

This year, Officer Jose Solorio participated for the first time and enjoyed the community interaction. “It’s nice to connect with people beyond just patrolling,” he said. “The generosity has been amazing.”

Rotary member Robert Moore welcomed cash donations from residents, even noting some $20 bills dropped into the bucket. For the first time, Hy-Vee cashiers allowed shoppers to round up their bills for the cause. “I’m proud to be part of this,” Moore remarked, emphasizing the importance of the Food Box’s work in the community.

Heitman recalls being inspired to create this event during a previous job. He saw how successful a similar drive was and believed Marshalltown needed one too. With rising food insecurity, he hopes to expand the drive in the future. “I want to involve more businesses and create opportunities for others to host,” he explained.

This year’s event reflects a community spirit, as more people are stepping up to help those in need. Efforts like the Arresting Hunger Food Drive remind us all of the importance of giving back, especially as food insecurity continues to affect many families. It’s a testament to how localized efforts can foster connections and support across towns.

According to a recent report from Feeding America, approximately 35 million Americans faced food insecurity in 2021, highlighting the ongoing need for such community initiatives. The enthusiasm in Marshalltown is not just about food; it’s about coming together as a community to make a positive change.

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Todays News,Marshalltown residents ‘very generous’ during Arresting Hunger food drive