Thanksgiving in July, a community-wide food drive, was created thirteen years ago by Mercy Iowa City and Hawkeye Foodservice Distribution in Tiffin. The six tons of food and funds collected the first year went to the Johnson County Crisis Center Food Bank. Since then the food drive has continued to develop and expand. The 2011 food drive included food pantries and food relief agencies in Iowa City, Coralville, Tiffin, North Liberty, Fairfield, Muscatine, and Essex, Iowa. The food and funds collected went to nine different non-profit food relief organizations.

The shelves in food pantries are generally at their lowest in the summer months, hence, the need for the focused effort. In 2011, the first year that Fairfield participated in the drive, over 9600 lbs of food came in to the Lord’s Cupboard. With everyone’s help, we can top that amount this year as we are more organized and have more partners involved this time around. All of the drop-off sites are collecting food and donations until this Sunday, July 29th so there is still time to participate. For more information, read on:

The Lord’s Cupboard of Jefferson County is proud to partner with Hy-Vee to host Thanksgiving in July, a community-wide food drive. All cash and food donations will be given to the Lord’s Cupboard, to help in aiding individuals and families in need of assistance.

The Thanksgiving in July food drive will be held Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 29. It provides an opportunity for individuals, businesses, civic, and faith organizations throughout the community to host their own drives to collect food and donations for the Lord’s Cupboard.

The only requirement is that the donation be non-perishable, canned or packaged food. It can be as easy as donating several cans of food or sponsoring a food drive through ball games, dances, raffles, etc. Any place that people gather can be a potential food drive site. Cash donations are appreciated and allow the Lord’s Cupboard to buy bulk food at a reduced cost.

Community Partners:

Fairfield Hy-Vee – Customers will be given the option to make a monetary donation at Hy-Vee check-out lanes from Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 29. The store will host a grill-out with a portion of all proceeds going to Thanksgiving in July on Thursday, July 26th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Fairfield Arts and Convention Center – The Center will host Songs for the Lord’s Cupboard, on Friday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $7 with the donation of a non-perishable canned or packaged food item. Cash donations will also be accepted.

Fairfield Community Band Concert – Bring cash and non-perishable food donations to the Fairfield Community Band Concert on Tuesday, July 24th. Lord’s Cupboard volunteers will be on hand to “pass the hat” for cash donations and will also have shopping carts to collect food donations.

Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. – Cambridge associates are hosting a company-wide contest to collect food items for Thanksgiving in July.

KMCD/Classic 96 – will host a live remote during the grill out at Hy-Vee on July 26th from11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Jefferson County Health Center – JCHC staff members are collecting food and cash donations.

Fairfield Volunteer Center – In addition to serving as a drop-off site, Volunteer Center staff is helping to plan and carry out the food drive.

Cash Donation Sites:
Everybody’s
Hy-Vee
Iowa State Bank
Fairfield Volunteer Center – in the Fairfield Public Library

Drop-off Sites:
Everybody’s
Iowa State Bank
MidWest One
Fairfield Volunteer Center – in the Fairfield Public Library
Fairfield Arts & Convention Center

The Lord’s Cupboard of Jefferson County serves as the county’s primary emergency food pantry and serves over one-thousand families a year. Nearly 50 percent of those served by the pantry are under the age of 18. Donations of food or cash may also be dropped off at The Lord’s Cupboard, 54 S. B Street in Fairfield, Monday through Friday, 1:00-4:00 p.m.