People with disabilities across the Quad Cities recently united through the Quad City Disability Awareness Coalition to support their community by combating food insecurity.
The group organized and executed a successful food drive for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, collecting and delivering food items to local food pantries throughout the region. Despite often relying on limited incomes, including support from programs like SNAP benefits and Medicaid, individuals with disabilities were eager to give back, organizers said.
Their efforts yielded impressive results:
- 530 families served.
- 21 participating drop-off sites.
- 62 volunteers.
- 11 local food pantries served.
The initiative highlighted the significant positive impact individuals with disabilities can make when given the opportunity to volunteer and contribute to their community.
According to The Arc, the importance of community support for this population was underscored during the recent government shutdown. People with disabilities served by The Arc suddenly lost access to their SNAP benefits, leaving those on tight budgets without a critical resource for food.
Emergency funds help
Thanks to emergency funding from the United Way of the Quad Cities and the Quad Cities Community Foundation, The Arc was able to provide groceries and meals, ensuring that no one went hungry during the disruption.
“Many individuals served by The Arc live on tight budgets, stretching every dollar to make ends meet,” an organization statement read. “Yet, even with these challenges, they are active community members who give back through volunteerism, employment, and everyday acts of kindness. It is profoundly meaningful that the broader community reflects this same spirit of reciprocity, stepping in when people with disabilities face barriers that no one should have to face alone.”
The support provided not only ensured access to nutrition but also maintained the “dignity, security, and peace of mind” for the individuals served, according to The Arc.
Thanking United Way of the Quad Cities Area and the Quad Cities Community Foundation for their support, The Arc noted that the partnership serves as a “powerful reminder that when we take care of one another, our entire community becomes stronger.”
The Arc encourages the public to visit their website’s MLK Food Drive page for more information on how individuals with disabilities address food insecurity.
