Area food banks have been notably affected by these unprecedented times. Much of the food they take in comes from donations, and the economic hardships Iowans are facing due to COVID-19 are creating supply challenges. For some Iowa agencies, current needs have more than doubled since the COVID-19 crisis began.

Commitment to community is one of the seven cooperative principles. At a recent meeting, our Board of Directors moved to use some of ECI REC’s Community Reinvestment Funds to donate $500 each to the food pantries located in Benton, Buchanan, and Fayette Counties.

The Community Reinvestment Fund is financed by unclaimed patronage retirement checks, which the State of Iowa allows the Cooperative to utilize if the money is donated back to the communities in our service territory. As opportunities or needs arise, ECI REC uses the fund to support the communities we serve. All three of the food pantries were very grateful for the monetary donation.

Benton County Food Pantry

Independence Area Food Pantry

Fayette County Food Bank