ISU Dining is partnering with Story County Emergency Management, United Way of Story County and community organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Barilla donated eight pallets of pasta for use at area food pantries, Story County Emergency Management asked for help with transportation. ISU Dining answered the call.
ISU Dining brought the pasta to its warehouse to repackage the bulk provisions and sort the boxed items for redistribution. The pasta is expected to feed an estimated 2,500 Story County families.
About eight ISU Dining employees spent three hours preparing the donations for redistribution to locations across the county.
ISU Dining also helped transport nearly three tons of food from the Food Bank of Iowa to the Ames and Nevada school districts and will continue to provide services when needed.
The deliveries were enough to feed more than 120 families in need.
“It’s important for ISU Dining to help the community during this time. Some of the food banks receiving the deliveries may be serving ISU students. Having the support of the university is an advantage to help provide this community service and we’re glad to be able to help out,” said Jamie Lenz, ISU Dining assistant director.
Visuals provided by university photographer Christopher Gannon and News Service videographer David Olson.