OTTUMWA, Iowa – In Wapello County, a special mission ensures that veterans don’t go hungry. Once a month, the Emergency Management Building becomes the hub for a drive-through food distribution. It’s a lifeline for veterans and their families, organized by the Food Bank of Iowa.
Last year alone, this program delivered over 75,000 meals to more than 2,000 households. That’s a remarkable effort, showing just how strong the community’s support is for those who have served.
Bergetta Beardsley, vice president of philanthropy for the Food Bank of Iowa, highlights the program’s impact. “It’s really heartwarming. Every month, through the drive-through, they see familiar faces. They’re reconnecting and supporting each other,” she shared.
The Food Bank has managed this program since 2022, and each year, demand rises. Maintaining the initiative costs about $50,000 annually. This month, the Ottumwa Legacy Foundation stepped in with a generous $75,000 grant to help keep the food flowing.
Kelly Genners, president and CEO of the Ottumwa Legacy Foundation, emphasized the importance of a long-term commitment. “We want to ensure that the program has stable funding, so they don’t have to worry about it from year to year,” he said.
But this support is about more than just food. Genners added, “Many veterans face long-term health issues, both physical and mental. Any way we can support them, we feel it’s our responsibility.”
This need for support is echoed nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 1.4 million veterans are at risk of hunger. Programs like this one in Ottumwa raise awareness and combat that issue on a local level, reminding us that every contribution, big or small, can make a difference.
As these veterans pick up their meals each month, they gain a sense of community and belonging. It’s not just about filling bellies; it’s about reconnecting with those who understand their journey.
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The Wapello County Emergency Management Building is the last stop in a supply chain built entirely around one mission making sure veterans don’t go hungry.
