GRUNDY COUNTY – With the federal government shutdown, many Grundy County families will be facing food insecurity. According to Feeding America, “families, federal workers – including active duty military – people who work for federal contractors and seniors suddenly face impossible choices not knowing if paychecks or food benefits will arrive on time”.

Please consider making a donation of cash and/or shelf stable items to the Grundy County Food Pantry to help us meet the needs of those in need in our community.

As a result of the shutdown, the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services has issued a warning to SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) recipients, letting them know that due to the federal shutdown, SNAP benefits for November may not be available. Iowa SNAP currently serves approximately 131,000 households, including many in Grundy County.

It is anticipated that during this more families will seek help from local food pantries, including the Grundy County Food Pantry. This comes at a time when food banks are already stretched to sustain the existing need. In addition, the Grundy County Food Pantry is partially funded with federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds. CSBG funds are tenuous now, too, during the government shut down.

Barb Grant, Operation Threshold Executive Director states, “Low-income families have really come to depend on the services and the food we provide them. Grundy County is an extremely generous community. We’d like to thank those who have donated to us in the past and ask them to consider giving again. If you’ve never donated before, we also welcome your contribution.”

If you would like to donate to the Grundy County Food Pantry, bring items to Operation Threshold’s Grundy Center office at 1606 G Avenue or for more information about how to make a contribution, call (319) 824-3460.

Operation Threshold is open 7:30 a.m. to noon, and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

2025 Thanksgiving food basket distribution

The Grundy County Food Pantry program has applications available now for the 2025 Thanksgiving Food Basket distribution. Those interested in receiving a Thanksgiving Food Basket can stop by to the Operation Threshold office in Grundy Center to fill out an application; appointments are required for pick-up.

The last day to sign up is by close of business on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.

Questions? Please contact the Operation Threshold office in Grundy Center.