Northeast Iowa Food Bank

PLATES FOR A PURPOSE welcomes The Vibe! We are excited to welcome The Vibe Coffee & Ice Cream, located at 1828 Waterloo Rd in Cedar Falls, as the newest partner in our Plates for a Purpose initiative. By joining this effort, The Vibe is helping encourage acts of generosity that support those facing food insecurity throughout our 16-county service area. The next time you visit The Vibe, we hope you will consider making a small gift to help ensure more people have access to the food they need. Are you a restaurant or coffee shop interested in joining Plates for a Purpose? There is no cost to participate, only a shared commitment to raising awareness about hunger in our community. Learn more in our press release: cdn.prod.website-files.com/6137d4de46aeab… Thank you to The Vibe for standing with us in the fight against hunger. #NEIFB #PlatesForAPurpose #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone

EMPTY BOWLS 2026: Check out four great trips you can bid on live at Empty Bowls tomorrow! - Head to Minneapolis for a fun North Loop getaway with four tickets to a Minnesota Twins home game and a $100 gift certificate to The Loop. - Enjoy St. Louis with two tickets to a weekday Cardinals game, a one night stay at Embassy Suites by Hilton, a $20 HuHot gift card, and a handmade Cardinal by Jim Waring. - Escape to Nashville for three days and four nights at a resort, perfect for music, memories, and a relaxing getaway. Airfare is not included. Sleeps two to four people. - Explore Omaha with a family pass to the Omaha Children’s Museum, four passes to the Henry Doorly Zoo, an overnight stay at Hyatt Place Downtown Omaha, and a visit to Felius Cat Café. We will see you tomorrow at Empty Bowls 2026! Visit neifb.org for more information. #NEIFB #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone #EmptyBowls #EmptyBowls2026

PLATES FOR A PURPOSE welcomes Fat Cup Coffee Company! We are proud to welcome Fat Cup Coffee Company, located at 37 Fletcher Avenue in Waterloo, as the newest partner in our Plates for a Purpose initiative. Their support helps bring awareness to the reality that more than 45,000 people across northeast Iowa are facing food insecurity. By joining this effort, Fat Cup Coffee Company is helping inspire simple acts of generosity that support children, families, and older adults throughout our 16-county service area. The next time you stop by Fat Cup, we hope you will consider making a small gift to help ensure more people have access to the food they need. Are you a restaurant or coffee shop interested in joining Plates for a Purpose? There is no cost to participate, only a shared commitment to helping raise awareness about hunger in our community. Learn more in our press release: cdn.prod.website-files.com/6137d4de46aeab… Thank you to Fat Cup Coffee Company for standing with us in the fight against hunger. #NEIFB #PlatesForAPurpose #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone

EMPTY BOWLS 2026: Thank you to the wonderful group of teachers from St. Patrick Catholic School in Cedar Falls who generously volunteered part of their day with us to create the beautiful floral arrangements guests will see on their tables at Empty Bowls this Friday, sponsored by Meghan Goering Photography. Their support reflects this year’s theme, “Bloom with Purpose: Growing Young Leaders. Fighting Food Insecurity.” These arrangements are more than centerpieces. They are a visual reminder of how acts of service help strengthen our community and support the work taking place across northeast Iowa. We simply could not host events like Empty Bowls or carry out our mission to help people facing food insecurity without the kindness and care of volunteers like them. Thank you, teachers! #EmptyBowls #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone #NEIFB

EMPTY BOWLS 2026: We will see you Friday! Our annual Empty Bowls event is almost here, and we can’t wait to gather with you on Friday. This evening is a reminder that, together, we can help ensure more bowls are filled for those facing hunger across northeast Iowa. Bring your friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors and make it a night out with purpose. Enjoy great food, meaningful moments, and the opportunity to stand with your community in the fight against food insecurity. There is still a bit of time to reserve your seat. Please reserve your spot here: events.handbid.com/auctions/empty… Thank you for being part of this important work. We really look forward to seeing everyone Friday! #EmptyBowls #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone #NEIFB

PLATES FOR A PURPOSE welcomes Second State Brewing & Concept Kitchen CF! We are proud to welcome Second State Brewing & Concept Kitchen, located at 203 State Street in Cedar Falls, to our Plates for a Purpose initiative. Their commitment helps shine a light on the reality that more than 45,000 people across northeast Iowa are facing food insecurity. The next time you visit Second State and Concept Kitchen, we hope you will consider making a small gift to help ensure more people have access to the food they need. Are you a restaurant interested in joining Plates for a Purpose? There is no cost to participate, only a shared willingness to help raise awareness about hunger in our community. Learn more in our press release: cdn.prod.website-files.com/6137d4de46aeab… Thank you to Second State Brewing & Concept Kitchen for standing with us in the fight against hunger! #NEIFB #PlatesForAPurpose #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone @SecondStateBrew

PLATES FOR A PURPOSE welcomes Jesse's Java House! We are excited to welcome Jesse's Java House, located at 419 Main Street in Cedar Falls, as the newest partner in Plates for a Purpose. By joining this initiative, Jesse's is stepping up to help fight hunger in our community. The next time you're at Jesse's, we hope you will consider making a simple gift to support people facing hunger across northeast Iowa. Are you a restaurant interested in joining Plates for a Purpose? There is no cost to participate, just a willingness to help raise awareness about the food insecurity many people face each day. Learn more in our press release: cdn.prod.website-files.com/6137d4de46aeab… Thank you to Jesse's for standing with us in the fight against hunger! #NEIFB #PlatesForAPurpose #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone

EMPTY BOWLS 2026: A big thank you to our Supporting Sponsors who are helping make this year’s Empty Bowls event possible. Supporting Sponsors of Empty Bowls 2026: - Locke Funeral Services - Chad & Michelle Swanson of JSC Legal - Waterloo Bucks - MeghanGoering Photography - Trio Salonspa & Boutique - Tommy's Express Car Wash (Waterloo, IA) We are grateful for partners like these who stand with us in the fight against food insecurity across northeast Iowa. Tickets: events.handbid.com/auctions/empty… #NEIFB #EmptyBowls2026 #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone

Today is National Ag Day! Farmers, farmworkers and other food producers are essential partners in the movement to fight hunger. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is proud to work with farmers to connect USDA foods with people facing hunger throughout northeast Iowa. Thank you to NEIFB's following key partners: Stillwater Greenhouse Lopata Gardens Southern Goods We Arose Pleasant Grove Homestead Over the Moon Farm Iowa Food Hub Edgewood Locker Country View Dairy Hansen's Farm Fresh Dairy JÓIA FOOD FARM Kittleson Bros SkyView Market Johnston Creek Beef Phelps Farm Cook Fruits & Vegetables & so many more! #AgDay26 #NortheastIowaFoodBank #NEIFB #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone

EMPTY BOWLS 2026: Join us THIS FRIDAY at Bien VenU Event Center in Cedar Falls for a night that helps fight food insecurity across our 16-county service area, featuring a soup buffet, silent auction, live auction, and new this year: the NEIFB Dessert Auction! This year’s theme is 'Bloom with Purpose: Growing Young Leaders. Fighting Food Insecurity.' Hear from young leaders of all ages about their commitment to volunteering and making our community a better place. Tickets: neifb.org Table (8 tickets): $280 Individual tickets: $40 Student tickets: $20 #EmptyBowls #EmptyBowls2026 #NEIFB #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone

EMPTY BOWLS 2026: Check out another exciting item that will be part of the live auction on Friday at the Bien VenU Event Center! Charge Into Adventure! - The winning bidder will receive a $2,000 credit toward the purchase of a brand-new electric bike from Bike Tech in Cedar Falls. You’ll have the opportunity to choose the size and color that best fit your style and needs. Get ready to hit the road in style and be there to bid live! Get your tickets to Empty Bowls at neifb.org. #NEIFB #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone #EmptyBowls #EmptyBowls2026

EMPTY BOWLS 2026: Our big event is this Friday, and we want to extend a sincere thank you to our Gold Sponsors for helping make this year’s Empty Bowls possible. Their generosity plays an important role in supporting the Northeast Iowa Food Bank’s mission to ensure children, families, and seniors can access food when they need it. Gold Sponsors of Empty Bowls 2026: • Conagra Brands • First Maxfield Mutual • Lincoln Savings Bank Tickets: events.handbid.com/auctions/empty… Press release: cdn.prod.website-files.com/6137d4de46aeab… #NEIFB #EmptyBowls2026 #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone #EmptyBowls

MATCH CHALLENGE: Now through April 30, your gift to NEIFB will be matched dollar for dollar up to $40,000. Double the impact as we help provide essential food for children, families, and seniors facing food insecurity across northeast Iowa. Thank you for standing with us. Donate today: donorbox.org/2025-general-d… #neifb #everymealeverydayeveryone #NEIFBMatchChallenge #MatchChallenge

EMPTY BOWLS 2026: Check out another great item that will be part of the live auction at Empty Bowls on Friday, March 27th at the Bien VenU Event Center in Cedar Falls. Enjoy a special night out with music, dinner, drinks, and a stay in downtown Cedar Falls. This package includes: Two mezzanine Zone 1 tickets to an upcoming Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony performance A $25 gift card to Bar Winslow A $50 gift card to Montage A one-night stay in a King Suite at the Black Hawk Hotel Perfect for a date night, anniversary, or relaxing getaway. Be there to bid live! Get your tickets to Empty Bowls at neifb.org. #NEIFB #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone #EmptyBowls #EmptyBowls2026

CAPACITY CAMPAIGN: Our $14 million Capacity Campaign to expand and renovate NEIFB is essential as the number of people facing hunger continues to rise. This project ensures we can continue providing nutritious food to every person who needs us. Our Capacity Campaign will increase food storage, enhance volunteer safety, and upgrade equipment for safer, more efficient distribution throughout our 16 counties. The time to expand is now. Support our Capacity Campaign today and learn more at neifb.org/capacity. #northeastiowafoodbank #everymealeverydayeveryone #neifb #cedarvalleyfoodpantry

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank and Cedar Valley Food Pantry will have a delayed opening on Monday, March 16 due to weather. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank office will open at 10:00AM and the Cedar Valley Food Pantry will open at 10:30AM. #NEIFB #CVFP #Delay #NortheastIowaFoodBank #CedarValleyFoodPantry

EMPTY BOWLS 2026: Fill a Table. Help Fight Hunger. Empty Bowls is meant to be shared. Gather your friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors and reserve a table together at our annual event on March 27th. When you fill a table, you help ensure more bowls are filled for people facing hunger across northeast Iowa. Tables are $280 for 8 seats. Make it a night out with purpose. Celebrate community, enjoy great food, and be part of something that truly matters. Reserve your table today: events.handbid.com/auctions/empty… #EmptyBowls #EveryMealEveryDayEveryone #NEIFB