Tackling Food Insecurity

Live food insecurity is an ongoing problem across the nation and here at home.

A program with iowa state university extension is aiming to collect surplus food for those in need.

Kimt news 3's alex jirgens is live in mason city.

Alex?xxx amy ?

"* according to the u?

"* ?

"* 89 point 5 percent of households in the u?

"*s were food secure last year.

But there's still that roughly 10 percent that are food insecure.

We're tallking about households weren't able to meet the needs of all members.

The state of iowa is partnering with iowa state university extension and americorps to change that through the governor's task force to feed iowans.

Farms ?

*- farmers markets ?

"* restaurants and institutions can play a role by donating food that isn't sold or eaten.

That food will be distributed through agencies such as food pantries.

Coordinator corinne sills says the need can be found ?

"* not just in urban areas like mason city?

"* but in rural "even in our smaller, outlying cities in cerro gordo county.

You've got thornton, rockwell, sheffield, places that people aren't coming up to mason city or clear lake to go to farmers markets, or the community kitchen and shelters like that."

So far ?

"* sills tells she's collected roughly 25?

"*30 pounds worth of produce to give to the homeless shelters in town and the community kitchen of north iowa ?

"* just in a short time.

If you want to contribute we'll have a link on how to get involved under this story at kimt dot com.

Live in mason city ?

"* alx thanks alex.

According to the u?

"*s?

"*d?

"*a ?

"* an esti point 2 million americans