The sold-out event will be held on March 26 at Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport and will focus on raising funds to help build hunger-free schools across the region.
This year’s program will feature a conversation with Bluder moderated by emcee Monta Ponsetto, executive director of the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation. Jenny Colvin, vice president of River Bend Food Bank, will also provide an update on the impact of potential cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The event is presented in partnership with speaker sponsors UnityPoint Health – Trinity and an anonymous donor.
River Bend partners with more than 130 school sites throughout its 23-county service area to provide school-based nutrition programs. These include backpack programs that provide food for children over the weekend and school pantries that can offer up to 54 pounds of food per month to children and their families.
Last fall, River Bend announced a strategic move to transition backpack programs to school pantries. That transition continues in phases with the support and guidance of the food bank’s five-member Partnership Team.
“The school pantry model stretches our resources furthest and helps us nourish both children and families,” Colvin said. “We’re working with our school counselors and other partners to set up school pantries that can offer fresh produce, proteins, snacks and other foods kids and families need to thrive.”
One of those partners is school counselor Alan Dassow, who has worked with River Bend to connect children with food for 18 years during his time with the East Moline School District. Dassow now operates a school pantry at Ridgewood Elementary School, serving more than 400 students and families.
“Food is something that really means a lot to the kids here,” Dassow said. “It is a motivator to help get them through the day.”
The Ridgewood pantry is one of more than 80 school pantries supported by River Bend.
The transition to school pantries is part of the food bank’s broader response to anticipated increases in food support needs as legislative changes to SNAP reshape the fight against hunger. These changes include expanded work requirements and administrative cost sharing for states, totaling a potential estimated $40 million in Iowa and an estimated $800 million in Illinois over the next two years.
Since 2019, Women Fighting Hunger has raised more than $400,000. This year’s March 26 event is projected to raise $150,000, the equivalent of approximately 750,000 meals for River Bend’s school-based programs. Although tickets are sold out, individuals can still donate to support Women Fighting Hunger and River Bend’s school-based hunger relief programs.
Learn more at Women Fighting Hunger. Although tickets are sold out, individuals can still donate to support Women Fighting Hunger and River Bend’s school-based programs: Donate to Women Fighting Hunger.
