Every spring, our community proves what’s possible when people decide to show up for one another. Businesses open their doors. Donations pile up. Volunteers hit the road. This is what collective care looks like. This is what belonging feels like. And we’d love to see you there.
The Annual United Way Food Drive runs two weeks each spring. Whether you host a collection site at your workplace, open your doors to the wider community, or spend a Friday morning on our pick-up crew, we need you to make. Every site, every box, every mile driven brings us closer to a community where no one has to wonder where their next meal is coming from.
Teamwork makes the dream work! With 59 collection sites active across Story County, our community truly showed up for our 2026 Food Drive. Every single donation went directly to supporting 16 local food pantries, helping our partner programs stay stocked and ready to serve neighbors in need.
Food pantries welcome monetary donations, in addition to nonperishable and hygiene items. Why? They need to purchase meat, milk, eggs, and other staples for their visitors. Some items can be purchased at a reduced rate from Food Bank of Iowa, meaning your donated dollar can go further than at a grocery store.
Check out the pantry wish list, or grab some of your favorite items next time you’re at the store! Think of what you’d like to feed your family. Cake mixes with cooking oil, mixed nuts for a healthy snack. Plus, some high-demand items (like paper products) aren’t in stock at the food bank, thus can’t be purchased at a reduced rate, and the pantry needs them on their shelves for local families!
