DES MOINES, IA — Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03) toured the Food Bank of Iowa on Monday to meet with leaders, staff, and volunteers preparing for a surge in demand if the Senate fails to act by November 1 and federal food assistance funding expires.
SNAP benefits for more than 131,000 households and WIC assistance for over 62,000 households in Iowa are set to lapse if the Senate continues to block the clean funding bill Rep. Nunn helped pass through the House on September 19th.
“This shutdown is threatening food on the table for hundreds of thousands of Iowa families—many of them kids, new moms, and seniors,” said Rep. Nunn. “We cannot expect Iowa food banks and families to pay for Washington’s dysfunction. I’m calling on Senate Democrats to set partisanship aside and pass our clean continuing resolution before we reach the funding cliff.”
The Food Bank of Iowa, which serves 55 counties through a network of 700 partners, is already distributing more than two million pounds of food per month. Leaders say demand has surged for three years straight, and they’re bracing for another spike if benefits are delayed next week.
“We appreciated the opportunity to meet with Rep. Nunn, provide a tour and share our concerns about how the federal shutdown is impacting SNAP and the Iowans who rely on this vital program,” said Tami Nielsen, Food Bank of Iowa President and CEO.
“We are grateful to Congressman Nunn for touring the Food Bank of Iowa and seeing firsthand the challenges facing Iowans who are struggling to put food on the table”, said Linda Gorkow, Executive Director of the Iowa Food Bank Association. “We strongly encourage Congress to work together to end the shut down and ensure that thousands of Iowans are not left facing food insecurity as we approach the holiday season.”
During the visit, Rep. Nunn spoke with food bank staff about gaps in emergency food support, ongoing supply challenges, and the strain food banks are facing amid the ongoing shutdown. He also discussed policy priorities to strengthen food access in Iowa, including expanded access to fresh produce, greater support for Iowa-based food providers, and stronger investment in rural hunger relief infrastructure.
To safeguard food assistance for vulnerable families, Rep. Nunn is leading the Keep WIC Working Act to ensure continued benefits for mothers and young children during a government shutdown. He is also supporting the Keep SNAP Funded Act, which would prevent disruptions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if appropriations lapse.
“No child should go hungry because Washington is shut down,” continued Rep. Nunn. “I’m proud to support efforts to ensure SNAP and WIC families are not caught in the crossfire of partisan gridlock.”
A video recap of the visit can be viewed here.
KCCI’s coverage of the visit can be viewed here.
WHO 13’s coverage of the visit can be viewed here.
Photos of the visit are available here.
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