Food Bank of Siouxland

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order this morning restoring voting rights to felons.

“This is a cause so many Iowans worked on for years.  It boils down to our fundamental right for redemption and second changes.”

Iowa was the only state banning felons from voting, unless they appealed directly to the governor.

The order applies to people who have completed their sentence, including probation and parole.

The COVID-19 crisis forced a record number of people out of their jobs.  And, that number continues to climb.  So many face economic uncertainty.  More people than ever before are looking for one of the basics many might take for granted. That’s food. 

The Executive Director of the Food Bank of Siouxland, Linda Scheid, outlines the increased need and where you can turn for help.  She also talks about a state-wide program to help farmers get their meat and eggs into the hands of the hungry.

Guest host Sheila Brummer explored the COVID-19 pandemic with everything from for assistance to ways to enchance our health.  Plus, find out how the Orange City Tulip Festival plans to celebrate in this age of isolation.  The 80th annual event was postponed until May of 2021.  Also, hear some memorable stories and special reports from the award-winning Siouxland Public Media News Department.

Special thanks to this week's guests:

Linda Scheid - Food Bank of Siouxland

This week on The Exchange, Western Iowa Tech Community College is accused of human trafficking in connection with a group of exchange students from South America.  WIT President Terry Murrell strongly refutes those allegations and pledges to help students finish their programs of study.

Frank Lamere spent most of his adult life as an activist.  He lived in South Sioux City and worked as a member of the American Indian Movement in the 1970’s. 

LaMere was a leader in the Democratic party serving as a chairman of the National Native American Caucus and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention many times over. 

He recently received an honorary Doctorate from Nebraska Wesleyan University.  An honor that meant a lot to him. 

Iowa has received one of the top rankings for child well-being in country.

That’s according to the annual Kids Count report released this week by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Statewide, the survey shows improvement in just about every category.

Iowa was ranked third overall in the U.S.

The report shows rates in Iowa for kids who live in poverty dropped significantly since 2010 and are above national averages.

However, in Woodbury County there is an increase of children living in poverty.  It’s up more than 18% since 2000.

Adrian talks about some upcoming events this summer for the Food Bank of Siouxland. Development Director Jennifer Hart tells us about the "Leader of the Pack: Hunger Games" Run/Walk/Bike at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve and the Will Golf for Food tournament coming up at Whispering Creek.

Shelby Pierce joins Steve on this February 1st, Cultural Continuum. Lots of Jazz, a Conservatory recital at Vangarde, the Empty Bowls moves into the Sioux City Convention Center.

The Exchange 01/23/19

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Coming up this week on The Exchange, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says Senate Republicans are working on a compromise bill to end the partial govt. shutdown.

Ernst

Also, how the shut down could soon affect supplemental food benefits like SNAP, 

and Iowa’s Supreme Court Chief Justice says citizens should be able to deal with minor legal issues online.  :That and more coming up on The Exchange, Wednesday at noon and Friday at 9:00 a.m. on SPR.

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News/WX

Intro

Empty Bowls is back (actually it's in a different place this year; it's at the Sioux City Convention Center) but everything else is the same with some tweaks and improvements. The Food Bank of Siouxland's Linda Scheid pops in to talk about the annual fundraising event. Find out more by going to www.SiouxlandFoodBank.org

If you have an idea for Food For Thought, let Adrian know at AdrianKolbo@gmail.com

Adrian welcomes Jennifer Hart from the Food Bank of Siouxland who talks about Cranksgiving an event tomorrow that incorporates eating food, cycling and fighting hunger. This is a busy time of year for the food bank so they also talk about the backpack program and more.

Jennifer Hart, and her trusty interns Niccole Wolken and Jessica Higgins come to the studio to talk about the Food Bank of Siouxland's upcoming Leader of the Pack: Hunger Games Run-Walk-Bike event.

School's out for summer and if you're a child that relies on the school lunch program for a significant portion of your daily food intake, that's a problem. The Food Bus is here to help.

Adrian welcomes Jennifer Hart, Development Director of the Food Bank of Siouxland,

 Adrian talks food insecurity today with Jennifer Hart of the Food Bank of Siouxland. She reveals that the Food Bank distributed 2.3 million lbs of good food to people in need in last year and how a dollar can buy 13 lbs of food.

Siouxland Public Media has two events happening Friday night! Ode celebrates its 2nd anniversary at ISU Design West, and the Morningside College Piano Recital Series presents fortepianist Krisian Bezuidenhout at Eppley and over the air as another Siouxland Arts Live event. Foodbank of Siouxland presents Empty Bowls and lots, lots more!