How do we ensure everyone can eat?
Luke Elzinga, Policy and Advocacy Manager, DMARC
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SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
** virtual event **
Food Insecurity is impacting a growing number of households, including in Iowa. Nearly 11% of Iowans (1 in 9) and 15.4% of Iowa children (1 in 6) face food insecurity. 10.8% do not know where they will find their next meal, including 110,500 children. Polk County alone comprises 15% of the state’s food insecure population, with over 19,000 of them children.
There is disagreement between some politicians and those who do the hard work to resolve hunger in our state regarding funding of food programs in Iowa, including whether to access federal funds for the Summer EBT program.
Who is responsible for ensuring all people have enough food to eat? What is the best way to ensure no child goes hungry? And what is Iowa’s responsibility, especially as a state with an abundance of resources and revenues? Is it just a matter of worldview and political will?
Join us for Crossroads to learn more about the rising rate of food insecurity in Iowa, who is impacted, and the solutions that really could work to ensure every person has access to the food they need, including our children.
You may make your reservation to attend online by clicking on the "Register Now" button. This virtual presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
If you have any issues registering, please email info@interfaithallianceiowa.org or call 515.279.8715.
ABOUT OUR PRESENTER: Luke Elzinga is the policy and advocacy manager at the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network, which last year assisted over 70,000 people facing food insecurity in Greater Des Moines. Luke is the current board chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, and serves on the Iowa Food System Coalition’s Local Food Policy Network priority team as well as the national leadership team for Closing the Hunger Gap. He completed his undergraduate degree at Iowa State University and earned his Master of Public Policy through the University of Northern Iowa. Luke is an alum of the AmeriCorps VISTA program, New Leaders Council – Des Moines, and Mid Iowa Health Foundation’s HealthConnect Fellowship. He lives on the southside of Des Moines with his wife, daughter, two cats, and dog.
Crossroads is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines. It's an opportunity to learn, to participate in civil dialogue, and to discuss issues at the crossroads of religion and politics.