David Barajas

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified needs in the community — not just in Marshalltown, but throughout the state.

Food pantries and banks have seen an increase in the amount of people needing their services due to loss of employment or a reduction in hours. The Food Bank of Iowa in Des Moines is helping many of those entities — such as the Salvation Army and Emergency Food Box in Marshalltown — get the food needed for distribution.

Dave Barajas, Jr., of Marshalltown, is the director of business development for Dave’s Coffee Cake. He saw an opportunity for the company to help out the Food Bank during a time when aid is especially needed. He considered donating directly to the food banks and pantries, but he wanted to stretch the money out as much as possible.

“It is better going through the Food Bank of Iowa,” Barajas said. “One dollar will go a lot further. It made sense to donate to the Food Bank who then give it to food pantries.”

Michelle Bock, the president and CEO of Food Bank of Iowa said the organization has had to get creative in the acquisition and distribution of food.

“Many in the business community have also had to get creative for their own situations,” Bock said. “We are grateful that many, like Dave’s Coffee Cake, continue to reach out and offer ways to support Food Bank of Iowa, through their own initiatives.”

Some money from the sale of each cake will go toward the Food Bank. This fundraiser is also being conducted completely online. Barajas said it will run through May 31 and there will not be booths or tables set up due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This was simple for the organization and for our customers,” he said. “They can order, give their mailing address and they will get a fresh-baked cake.”

There are 12 flavors to choose from:

• Raspberry

• Raspberry Cream Cheese

• Blueberry Cream Cheese

• Blueberry

• Rich Chocolate Chip

• Cream Cheese Pecan

• Lemon

• Bavarian Cream

• Apple Cinnamon

• Cinnamon Chip

• Triple Chocolate

• Strawberry

“There is no mess, no fuss and we are still social distancing,” Barajas said.

How to order: Go online to davescoffeecake.com/online-fr-store/. Use the code FBOIA to access the fundraiser page.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at lbradstream@timesrepublican.com