A prominent figure with a non-profit, statewide organization that helps feed less fortunate people in Iowa is retiring as the leader.

Michelle Book, who graduated from Jefferson High School in 1979, is retiring as the Food Bank of Iowa President and CEO. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio her career with the Food Bank of Iowa started on February 1, 2016 as the President and CEO and was given an ultimatum by the corporate organization, Feeding America, to change their operations within one year or their 55-county territory would be split up and served by neighboring groups.

Book points out that they remodeled a failing facility in Des Moines, and then double its capacity when they held a ribbon cutting this past fall on a new 30,00 square foot distribution center in Des Moines, along with acquiring and remodeling the Ottumwa facility, expanded to more staff and increased delivery trucks from three to a fleet of 20, including a Greene County native, Loel Larson, who operates a semi-truck and helps with deliveries nearly everyday. She believes she has accomplished what she set out to do with the Food Bank of Iowa.

“They hired me to come in and fix something that’s broken and I’ve done that. (The) Food Bank of Iowa is in the best place it’s ever been since it started in 1982. All new vehicles, all new facility, all new equipment, the team’s never been stronger, smarter, more capable; and is financially solvent. It is perfectly positioned to hand off to a new leader that can take it forward in new and different ways.”  

As she steps away from this venture, Book thanks not only the staff but also the individuals at the local level who work at the food pantries in their communities and are serving those who are in need.

“They’re looking them in the eyes, they’re hearing about their troubles, they’re putting an arm around them (and) provide them with comfort and hope. And when they hand food to a family in need, they’re not only just handing food, but they are handing them hope for a better future. So the people I admire most are really the folks that are out there, on the front line, taking the food that we provide, but getting it to their neighbors who they know who need it so desperately.”    

Book adds that she will look for other opportunities to be an advocate on food insecurity across the state as she moves into retirement. According to the Food Bank of Iowa, the interim CEO is Tami Nielson.