Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers assist local mobile food pantry

Photo By Staff Sgt. Samantha Hircock | Soldiers with Company A, 248th Aviation Support Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard, assist a volunteer unloading fresh goods in support of the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program’s mobile food pantry outside Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 6, 2020. With the help of the Soldiers, HACAP was able to help 2,000 people in need of food assistance within the local community. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Cpl. Samantha Hircock)  

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, UNITED STATES

05.06.2020

Story by Cpl. Samantha Hircock 

135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Soldiers with Company A, 248th Aviation Support Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard, transported over 13,000 pounds of food to assist the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program’s mobile food pantry outside Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 6.

“It helps a lot because normally we have to make multiple trips,” said Robert Andrlik, a mobile pantry coordinator for HACAP. “Having the National Guard helping, having multiple vehicles and multiple hands, it made it a lot quicker for us.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the mobile pantry system had been organized in a way that presented a challenge in terms of social distancing and other precautions needed to mitigate the spread of the virus.

The logistical assistance offered by the Iowa National Guard made it possible for HACAP to continue their mobile food pantry efforts while minimizing the health risks, said Andrlik.

With the help of the Soldiers, HACAP was able to provide fresh goods to 2,000 people in need of food assistance within the local community.

“Having outside support allows them to focus on making sure families are taken care of,” said Staff Sgt. Josh Conder, a petroleum supply specialist with Company A, 248th Aviation Support Battalion.

• Date Taken: 05.06.2020
• Date Posted: 05.11.2020 13:39
• Story ID: 369694
• Location: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, US