The Food Bank of Iowa has opened 16 off-site food pantries to serve families of the nearly 80% of Des Moines Public School District students who qualified for free and reduced meals during the 2019-2020 school year, the Food Bank of Iowa announced this week. After the spread of COVID-19 this year, it is estimated that more than 5,000 DMPS students don’t have enough food at home. Pantries established throughout Des Moines will provide food without cost or identification and as often as needed to families. Families are asked to park their car at one of the designated sites, and food will be loaded into the trunk or back of the vehicle without personal contact. Sites and hours are posted online, or available by calling 515-564-0330 during regular business hours. 

Iowa Stops Hunger is a yearlong Business Publications Corp. initiative to bring awareness and action to food insecurity in Iowa. Read additional stories on Iowastopshunger.com.