Iowa-Based Grocery Store Helps Local Food Pantries, Free Kids Meals

With the current government shutdown, many people are dealing with a loss of food stamps. Those that truly need help have come to a point where their need for food will be extremely limited by the funds they have available. Let's be honest; inflation is crazy, prices across the board have only gone up, and now many people will lose a vital tool used to sustain their families. That's why the latest press release from Hy-Vee should be welcome news in our local Iowa communities.

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Starting this week, Hy-Vee customers can now simply round up their total at checkout to help support neighbors who may be struggling. It’s the kind of small action that feels almost effortless, but when an entire community participates, it adds up in a really big way. Even just a few cents can help stock pantry shelves with the basics families rely on from day to day. And importantly, every dollar stays local. Each store will direct the funds to a food pantry in its own community, meaning the help goes to families who live just down the street in Dubuque (in our case).

Hy-Vee isn’t stopping there. The company recently contributed $100,000 to Feeding America, helping support regional food banks across the Midwest. Hy-Vee also knows the heart of Iowa support is always local and personal. That’s where the $5 and $10 donation bundles come in. These are pre-packed grocery bags filled with staple items like pasta, cereal, canned vegetables, and some proteins. Customers can purchase one while shopping, and the store will deliver it to the local pantry that same day so families can get what they need quickly.

And for families who are feeling the strain right now, Hy-Vee is also providing warm meals. Through November 14th from 4 to 7 PM, kids 12 and under can eat free at every Hy-Vee store with hot food service, and adults can enjoy the same meal for just $3. That's whether you're taking it to go or dining in. It’s a thoughtful way to take some pressure off dinner decisions, especially when budgets feel tight and food dollars have to stretch farther than they should. Additionally, this weekend features a breakfast buffet from 7 to 10 AM for the same price; $3 for adults, kids 12 and under eat free!

These small acts, things like rounding up a purchase, donating a pantry bundle, or grabbing a low-cost dinner, may not solve every challenge, but it certainly helps. It helps remind me that community care still exists, especially in uncertain and difficult times. And right now, that kind of neighborly support matters more than ever.