3,000 Boxes of Produce Being Given Away in Cedar Rapids On Saturday

It's now been more than two months since the derecho devastated eastern Iowa homes and businesses, and needs in the area continue to be great. Once again, area residents will be able to get the fresh produce they need to help feed their families.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque & Metro Catholic Outreach is pairing with the Catholic Churches of the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area to hand out 3,000 boxes of USDA Farmers to Families produce on Saturday, October 24.

The free fresh produce is available to any storm victim that needs it. Assorted dairy products will also be available. No paperwork is needed. It's a contactless drive-through event that will happen Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until the supply is gone, or 3 p.m, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. The church is located at 2310 1st Avenue N.E.

If you're coming to pick up food, you'll want to be inbound toward downtown, or southbound, on 1st Avenue to enter. Please note, no left turns off 1st Avenue will be allowed into the distribution site, so you'll have to be heading southbound, toward downtown, to enter. You'll exit onto A Avenue N.E.

The City of Cedar Rapids continues recovery efforts from the derecho, announcing on Thursday that the first round of tree debris cleanup has been completed. Nearly 2.4 million cubic yards of tree debris has already been hauled away. Only approximately 29 percent of city streets have had their non-organic storm debris collected thus far.