Day 4: Waterloo, IA

We've just completed the final mission of our roadtrip with a stop in Waterloo, IA at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. This food bank differs from the type of local food bank we're used to seeing at places like Channel One because it serves as an expansive warehouse for food banks and nonprofit organizations throughout 16 Iowa counties. Last year they distributed over 5 million pounds of product through their various programs. One particular population that they serve is senior citizens living on fixed social security incomes. While the cost of living has continued to rise, many are struggling to be able to afford the necessities they once could.

After a tour of the facility we got to work! Three pallets of salad dressing had been delivered. Box by box, bottle by bottle, we sorted the dressing, crossed out the bar codes, and labeled the boxes. As organizations place their orders with the warehouse they will be able to readily pull what is needed. There was something that felt good about doing some physical labor to end our trip. We began on Wednesday with growing food and ended today with preparing for distribution.