A mobile pantry is a farmer’s market style distribution targeted toward county’s with a need for additional pantry service. Mobile pantries provide an additional strategy toward bridging the food assistance gap, specifically in rural counties by providing an additional access point for food. For a current list of mobile food pantries visit Food Bank of Iowa.
Currently, there are mobile food pantries in Dallas, Madison, and Warren County. Also see the Mobile Food Pantry Fact Sheet.
The 5th Annual Appreciation Reception was held December 3, 2015 at Annelise Winery just east of Indianola. The community, service providers, parents of young children and policy makers were in attendance. We had the opportunity to hear the difference the 4 R Kids ECI funding makes with families and local programs. A big thank you goes to Executive Director Jovanka Westbrook of Partners in Family Development for videotaping this special evening.
Family Support ServicesTestimonial – Parent Adrian McNew provided sincere testimonial and grateful thanks about the family support services her family received from Partners in Family Development. Here is the video.
Dental Services Testimonial – I-Smiles Coordinator from Warren County Public Health, Sarah Peterson provided a moving story about a four year old preschooler who was identified with severe tooth decay. Be sure to have a tissue handy as this is a tear jerker. Here is the video.
Preschool Scholarship Testimonial – Pauline Samuelson received 4 R Kids ECI preschool scholarships and provided sincere testimonial. Dallas County Extension facilitates the preschool scholarships and other preschool supportive services. Here is the video.
Child Care Nurse Consultants Testimonial – The child care nurse consultants from New Opportunities and Warren County Health Services provided testimonials about nursing services provided to child care providers and preschools. Here is the video.
Why Early Childhood Matters – Shanell Wagler, office of Early Childhood Iowa, provided a moving closing for the evening as to why early childhood matters and the investment payoff for the future.
The Opportunity Index is designed to provide a snapshot of what opportunity looks like at the state and county levels. The Index focuses on the conditions present in different communities and is designed to help local communities connect economic, academic, civic and other factors that support increased opportunity and economic mobility. More than 2,600 counties are graded A-F, giving policy makers and leaders a useful tool to identify areas of improvement and to gauge progress over time. All 50 states are also ranked and Iowa ranked 8 of 50. Go to Opportunity Nation to find out how your county rates.
Below are documents for Adair, Dallas, Madison, and Warren County as well as the state of Iowa.
Check out the latest quick video about the importance of early childhood. Board Chairperson Bob Ockerman provides a unique perspective as a grandparent.
