The Crisis Center of Johnson County - Food Bank of Iowa City, Iowa

Phone: (319) 351-0128

Address: 1121 Gilbert Ct, Iowa City, IA 52240. Get Directions

Hours: Call for hours

Questions to Ask

Always call ahead and find out some basic information before you go to receive food.

Document Requirements

Please ask about any documents required to prove eligibility. Some of the questions to ask:

What is a Food Bank?

Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objective is to help low-income individuals and families by providing food.

They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.

A food bank serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.

How the Food Bank Works?

• 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
• 2. It is stored in a large climate-controlled warehouse.
• 3. Food Bank distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
• 4. Food reaches people who are in need.

Who can use Food Banks?

Many food banks and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.

There are different qualifying requirements, and some food banks have none. Some let you come during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.

Here are some tips before you go:

• It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
• Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
• If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.

Feeding America

John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.

High food costs continue to put pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America reports that its network provides 5.9 billion meals a year.

The Feeding America network has grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.

A listing on this page doesn't mean an organization is part of the Feeding America network. To find a member food bank, use Feeding America's finder.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP is also known as Food Stamp.

Nationally, SNAP served approximately 42 million Americans per month in fiscal year 2025. To ask about SNAP benefits in Iowa City, contact your state SNAP office. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.

In fiscal year 2025, about 12.3% of the U.S. population received SNAP benefits in an average month.

The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.

Free Food Programs Summary