Cedar Rapids, IA – A countywide collaboration of independent, faith-based, and school-based pantries, facilitated by Linn County Public Health, is working together to ensure families across Linn County have access to a full Thanksgiving meal.
This year’s Thanksgiving Food Box Collaborative has received more than 1,300 registrations from families seeking holiday support. As of today, the group is positioned to serve nearly 950 families and hopes to reach 1,000 households as additional funding becomes available.
Participating pantries include Southeast Linn Community Center, Hoover Elementary, Metro High School, 29th Street Mission, NE Linn Food Pantry, and Together We Achieve.
“This collective effort has brought together independent, faith-based, and school-based pantry leaders to explore how resources can be better coordinated to serve the community,” said Raymond Siddell, Executive Director of Together We Achieve. “While there are still logistics to work through, this first initiative has already generated valuable lessons and a strong foundation for future collaborations.”
The collaboration aims to:
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Reduce duplication of services and unclaimed meals
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Stretch funds further through bulk purchasing and shared partnerships
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Provide five convenient pickup locations so families can receive meals closer to home
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Offer delivery options for those unable to travel
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Demonstrate that when we work together, our collective impact multiplies
With an additional $10,000, the group can fulfill every remaining request and ensure no family is left without a Thanksgiving meal.
Ways to Help
Donate:
Support any of the participating pantries directly through the links below:
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Southeast Linn Community Center: https://selinn.org
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29th Street Mission: Venmo @FirstBaptistMarion or https://www.fbcmarionia.org/pantry/
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NE Linn Food Pantry: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575009575423#
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Together We Achieve: https://togetherweachieve.org/donate
Donation levels:
$25 feeds 1 family
$100 feeds 4 families
$250 feeds 10 families
$1,000 sponsors 40 families and earns recognition as a Holiday Hero
Volunteer:
Each site has unique volunteer needs for the week of Thanksgiving, including distribution support, traffic coordination, and assisting families on-site.
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Southeast Linn Community Center: https://selinn.org
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29th Street Mission: https://www.fbcmarionia.org/pantry/
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NE Linn Food Pantry: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575009575423#
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Together We Achieve: https://togetherweachieve.org/volunteer
Every contribution and volunteer hour helps families gather, share, and celebrate the holiday season with dignity, joy, and hope.
About the Thanksgiving Food Box Collaborative
The Thanksgiving Food Box Collaborative is a joint effort of Southeast Linn Community Center, Hoover Elementary, Metro High School, 29th Street Mission, NE Linn Food Pantry, and Together We Achieve, along with many other community partners. Facilitated by Linn County Public Health, the group’s mission is to unite resources, reduce duplication, and ensure every household in Linn County has access to a holiday meal shared with dignity and hope.
Media Contacts
29th Street Mission
Merv Dosh, mervdosh@aol.com
Hoover Elementary
Minouche Bandubuila, mbandubuila@crschools.us
Metro High School
Mary Cruise, mcruise@crschools.us
NE Linn Food Pantry
Susan Clarke, clerk@centralcityia.gov
Southeast Linn Community Center
Nicole McAlexander, 319-455-2844 | nicole.selcc@gmail.com
Together We Achieve
Raymond Siddell, 319-432-9754 | raymonds@togetherweachieve.org