Local Legislator Wants More $ for Local Food Banks

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — At least one Iowa state lawmaker plans to push legislation this session that would provide direct funding for food banks in Iowa.

Senator Jeff Danielson, a Democrat from Waterloo, is drafting such a bill for the 2015 session.

Others, including Republican Governor Terry Branstad, support a state plan already in place that allows for up to $1 million in state money as matching funds for private donations to food banks.

Branstad has pointed to the $150,000 in state funding last year that matched the $150,000 donated by CN Railroad to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo.

The food bank's director, Barb Prather, says the $300,000 was used to buy better quality food for the charitable food bank, like canned chicken, tuna and fruit.