As the number of unemployed Iowans have grown since the COVID-19 pandemic began, food pantries are in much greater demand, and a Guthrie Center banking institution is encouraging the public to assist families in need with a can drive.

From now through May 31st, Peoples Bank in Guthrie Center is matching each donation of canned food left at one of several locations to donate to the New Opportunities Guthrie County Family Development Center located in Guthrie Center City Hall. New Opportunities is offering their food pantry to anyone who would like assistance with curbside emergency food packages through the rest of May, which has shortened their supply according to Peoples Bank Guthrie County Market President Dennis Flanery, “We’re looking for opportunities to help people in need right now and it’s tough to know exactly where those needs are. And it had come to our attention that they were short on vegetables and so we just thought that that was a great way that we could take part in helping some people. We are just doing that in our Guthrie Center market but we are looking to maybe do it at our other branches and communities as well.”

The public can leave their canned food donations at drop boxes located at the Guthrie Center Dollar General, Hometown Foods, New Opportunities, and on the front step of Peoples Bank. Cash donations to purchase additional food can also be given at the drive up window of Peoples Bank. Flanery and the rest of his staff thank the public for assisting local families in need.