The holidays are the busiest time of year for Iowa’s food pantries, but the need for food assistance remains great year-round, as families on a limited budget struggle with rising food costs.
Unfortunately, many Iowa families must make the choice to either “heat or eat” during the winter months, said Ozzie Ohl, a volunteer at the Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank in Mason City.
“We have a lot of elderly (clie­nts), and you’ve probably seen them in the grocery store. They’ve got a can in their hand, and they’re standing there, and you know the thought process that they are going through: Can I afford this?” said ...