News : Virginia Gay Hospital Announces Completion of Community Food Collection Efforts

Virginia Gay Hospital (VGH) extends heartfelt gratitude to our community for the incredible support shown during our recent food collection initiative. Thanks to your generosity, 1,161.5 pounds of food were collected over the past four weeks and distributed to the Benton County Food Bank and Showers of Blessings to support local families in need.

We offer special appreciation to Koops and The Niche for serving as convenient community drop-off locations throughout the campaign. Your partnership made participation easier and helped amplify our impact.

VGH also recognizes and thanks Angie Wacha and Amanda Lovell for their leadership and dedication in spearheading this effort. Their commitment made this initiative possible.

At this time, VGH will be discontinuing our food collection efforts, but we remain deeply grateful for the compassion and participation of our community.

Importantly, VGH continues to support those facing food insecurity through our year-round Feed America Program. Anyone in need may simply speak with our registration staff or their provider to access assistance.

Virginia Gay Hospital – Food & Resource Guide

Supporting our patients, staff, and community with food security resources

1. VGH/HACAP Feeding America – Food Box Program

· Purpose: Provides on-site food boxes to patients and staff who may be experiencing food insecurity.

· How it works:

1. Screen patients using the Hunger Vital Sign™ Survey during visits.

2. If positive, offer a food box and resource sheet listing local food pantries and mobile food locations.

3. Completed surveys should be returned to Katie Cox for tracking.

· Location: VGH Food Closet – Billing Hallway (across from hospital mailboxes).

· Eligibility: All VGH patients and employees.

· Outlying clinics: Contact Katie Cox to request boxes for your site and indicate how many boxes you need.

2. VGH Community Closet

· Purpose: Provides essential items to support patients and staff beyond food, including personal care, cleaning supplies, and paper goods.

· Items include:

o Shelf-stable foods (canned fruit/vegetables, pasta, rice, peanut butter)

o Cleaning supplies (laundry pods, dish soap, disinfecting wipes)

o Personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant)

o Paper goods (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues)

· Access: No Hunger Vital Sign™ survey required.

· Donations: Coordinated through Katie Cox (6317) or Robin Martin (6375).

3. Benton County Food Pantries & Mobile Programs

Pantry / Program Address Phone Hours / Notes

Vinton Food Pantry 811 D Ave, Ste 26, Vinton, IA 52349 319-472-4743 Tues 10-3; 4th Tues 4-6

South Benton County Pantry (Belle Plaine) 1212 8th Ave, Belle Plaine, IA 52208 641-751-8557 Tues & Fri 1:30-4:00

Garrison Food Pantry 201 E Pine St, Garrison, IA 52229 319-477-5531 1st & 3rd Wed 2:30-5:30

Wesley Mobile Food Pantry (Vinton) 516 2nd Ave, Vinton, IA 52349 319-241-1817 or 319-472-3034 3rd Sat each month 10-11am

4. Cedar Rapids / Linn County Food Pantries (HACAP Partners)

Pantry / Program Address Phone Hours / Notes

Linn Community Food Bank

– First Presbyterian Church 310 5th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 319-364-3543 Mon–Fri 1–3 pm; general distribution.

Metro Catholic Outreach 420 6th St SE Suite 120, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 319-739-5490 By appointment; Wed 1–3 pm, Thurs 10–12 & 5–5:30 pm.

River of Life Food Pantry 3801 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 319-393-3709 Wed 8–10 am; monthly limits apply.

St. Vincent de Paul – Cedar Rapids 928 7th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 319-365-5091 Tue–Sat 9 am–4 pm; pantry once every ~30 days; photo ID required.

Open Hands Food Pantry – Cedar Hills Community Church 6455 E Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 319-396-6608 Mon 5–6 pm; Wed & Fri 10 am–12 pm. Photo ID or current bill required.

Together We Achieve (Resource Center & Choice Food Pantry) 1150 27th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 319-432-9754 Self-guided food shopping; no ID required; curbside service available.

5. Waterloo / Black Hawk County

Pantry / Program Address Phone Hours / Notes

Cedar Valley Food Pantry 1605 Lafayette St, Waterloo, IA 50703 319-235-0507 Mon–Thu 9 am–3 pm; Fri 9 am–12 pm.

Presbyterian Pantry – Westminster Presbyterian Waterloo, IA 319-235-6269 1st Sat 9–11 am, 3rd Thu 4:30–6 pm.

First United Methodist Church Food Pantry 614 Randolph St, Waterloo, IA 319-235-7088 Thurs 9:30–10:30 am; 2nd Sat 10–11 am; 3rd Wed 5–6 pm.

Saint Vincent de Paul Society – Waterloo 320 Broadway St, Waterloo, IA 319-232-3366 Open food pantry.

Catholic Worker – Waterloo 321 E 8th St, Waterloo, IA 50703 319-232-2116 Grocery bags any day after 4 pm.

Together, we at Virginia Gay Hospital are committed to ensuring that every patient, staff member, and community member has access to the food and resources they need to thrive. Please reach out if you or someone you know could benefit — we are here to support you.