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Mitchell County authorizes $25,000 from local-option sales tax for Northeast Iowa Food Bank
Summary
The Mitchell County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $25,000 contribution from local-option sales tax to support the Northeast Iowa Food Bank's $14 million capacity-expansion campaign, after a presentation by the food bank director and local food-bank partners.
Mitchell County supervisors unanimously approved using $25,000 from local-option sales tax to support the Northeast Iowa Food Bank's capacity campaign after a presentation by the food bank's director on July 14.
Barb Prather, director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo, told the board the organization is undertaking a $14,000,000 renovation to expand cold storage, volunteer space and a new pantry to increase distribution capacity across 16 counties that the bank serves, including Mitchell County. "We're undergoing a $14,000,000 renovation to increase the capacity of the food bank so we can be set for the long term of ensuring that no food is turned away," Prather said.
Bill Clark, who spoke for the Mitchell County Food Bank, described the operational benefit the regional bank provides to local pantries: "Last year our Mitchell County Food Bank spent over $61,000 in food. If it wouldn't be for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank buying stuff down there cheaper, that same amount would have cost us over $90,000," he said, underscoring the cost-savings local partners receive.
Supervisors questioned funding sources and whether local-option sales tax revenues could be used; board members confirmed the county's local-option sales tax fund could support the contribution and then moved to authorize the transfer. After the motion and a second, the board voted by roll call; the motion passed with the board recording all ayes.
The contribution is intended to help the regional food bank expand capacity that, per Prather, will allow distribution of more meals annually and more reliable long-term storage and volunteer operations for partner pantries such as the Mitchell County Food Bank and Riceville Food Pantry. Prather said the campaign had raised roughly $8.3 million to date and had a path to the $14 million goal.
Next steps: the board's action authorizes the $25,000 allocation; the food bank and county staff will complete any required paperwork to transfer the funds and follow the county's finance procedures.
