The Food Bank of Iowa ended fiscal year 2023 by breaking every record in its 41-year history, according to a press release from the Des Moines-based nonprofit.

Across the 55 counties that it serves, the Food Bank of Iowa distributed 21 million pounds of food, or the equivalent of 17.5 million meals, the organization said. The number of pounds is an increase of 4 million pounds from fiscal year 2022 and is more than 800,000 pounds over the previous record year, fiscal year 2021, during the height of the pandemic.

Collectively, the Food Bank of Iowa’s 700 partners served 661,506 households in fiscal year 2023, an increase of 171,285 households from the previous year. They reported nearly 1.8 million points of service, including:

• 759,043 children (ages 18 and younger)
• 734,043 adults (ages 19-59)
• 287,308 older Iowans (ages 60-plus)

A record 9,739 volunteer shifts were filled at the Food Bank of Iowa in fiscal year 2023, which is the equivalent of 33,334 hours of service, or the work of 16 full-time employees. The value of those volunteer hours exceeds $1 million.

“Food Bank of Iowa is laser-focused on providing food for Iowans struggling to make ends meet,” Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book said in a statement. “At this time of rising need, escalating costs and declining resources, we are grateful for the collaborative support of steadfast donors, energetic volunteers and most especially for our committed partners who serve at the front line. It takes all of us working together to feed Iowans facing hunger.”