BETTENDORF, IOWA (November 19, 2025) — Even before recent disruptions in federal programs, food insecurity in the Quad Cities region had reached a four-year high — impacting more than 137,000 people in the area. Now, with uncertainty surrounding future federal support and additional benefit cuts on the horizon, families across the Quad Cities community are facing greater challenges in putting food on the table.
In response, the Quad Cities Community Foundation and nine other area families and organizations have joined forces to launch a new matching gift campaign to benefit community members seeking food assistance through River Bend Food Bank. The River Bend Food Bank Hunger Relief Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation will collect community donations to help meet the growing demand for emergency food assistance across the region.
Every dollar donated right now to the fund will be matched 1:1, up to $250,000 — providing 2.5 million meals for people experiencing hunger in their 23-county service area throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois. One hundred percent of donations will be delivered to River Bend Food Bank.
The Community Foundation, the region’s leading philanthropic partner, connects people who care deeply about the Quad Cities with causes that matter, working to strengthen communities through grants, leadership, and collaboration. The $250,000 match is made possible thanks to donations from Marie H Bechtel Charitable Trust, Doris and Victor Day Foundation, Reggie and Jeff Goldstein, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Modern Woodmen of America, Kent and Judi Pilcher, Quad Cities Community Foundation, Regional Development Authority, and Russell Group Inc.
“This is a moment for the Quad Cities to show what community looks like,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation.
“In the Quad Cities, we know our neighbors and partners step up when our community needs it — and we need it right now. Thanks to the generosity of local funders, every donation from our community will go twice as far to help families facing hunger right now.”
Chris Ford, president and CEO of River Bend Food Bank, said the effort comes at a critical time.
“Food insecurity impacts 13.2% of our population. We’re deeply grateful to the Community Foundation, every funder, and every donor who is stepping forward to make sure no one in our region has to go without a meal,” Ford said.
“This effort will help meet today’s needs and prepare us for the challenges we know are coming.”
The community can donate to the matching gift opportunity on the Community Foundation’s website at QCCommunityFoundation.org.
JUST THE FACTS:
- Community Donations: The River Bend Food Bank Hunger Relief Fund is open for public donations at qccommunityfoundation.org. Donations made to this specific fund will be matched 1:1 until the pool is exhausted.
- Ways to Give: Donations can be made by check, credit card, stock, or cryptocurrency. Checks should be made payable to “Quad Cities Community Foundation” with “Hunger Relief Match Fund” in the memo line.
Donors who hold donor advised funds (DAFs) at the Community Foundation can contact Anne Calder, vice president of development at the Community Foundation, to notify her of their gift or pledge. Calder can be reached at annecalder@qccommunityfoundation.org or 563/326-2840.
- Impact: Every $1 provides approximately five meals, and through the matching fund, that impact will be doubled.
