DAVENPORT, IOWA – The 39th annual Student Hunger Drive smashed records thanks to the power of students and River Bend Food Bank’s Million Meals Match initiative.
Students on stage at Thursday’s Finale Rally at River Bend Food Bank warehouse revealed this year’s Student Hunger Drive raised a grand total of 3,038,599 meals. That grand total includes 926,393 meals raised by the 16 Quad-Cities Area High Schools participating in this year’s drive, an increase from last year’s drive which raised 787,186 meals.
This year’s top school winners in each division:
Division A: Pleasant Valley High School
Division B: Alleman High School
Division C: Rivermont Collegiate
Additionally, this year the Million Meals Match – River Bend Food Bank’s first-time ask to businesses and community leaders – raised 2,112,206 meals, boosting the 2025 Student Hunger Drive to its three-million meal total.
“Students are and always will be the heart and the engine of Student Hunger Drive,” said Jayna Gallagher, River Bend Food Bank community engagement manager. “The funds and food raised by our students coupled with the contributions of our Million Meals Match supporters has delivered incredible support and hope for our community when we need it most.”
Million Meals Match launched Sept. 15 at IHMVCU headquarters with Million Meals Match ambassadors speaking passionately about supporting the new initiative that aimed to add another million meals to the legacy of Student Hunger Drive. The 39th annual Student Hunger Drive launched Sept. 29 when hundreds of students and community members gathered for the Kick-Off and Skit Competition at the Davenport warehouse.
River Bend Food Bank President & CEO Chris Ford said he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support both from this year’s Student Hunger Drive and by the ways the community has stepped up amid the longest federal government shutdown and the unprecedented SNAP freeze.
“Delivering food in these challenging times is difficult,” Ford said. “We’ve received incredible support from our community who have raised their voices and their hands to help. What these students and our Million Meals Match supporters deliver right now is not just hunger-relief, it is light and inspiration for the staff, volunteers and donors who unite to provide critical food for our community.”
Ford said the support from the states of Illinois and lowa is appreciated, but it is not adequate to fill the gap of the 12 million meals provided every month by SNAP for River Bend Food Bank’s 23-county service area.
The State of lowa announced Oct. 30 that Health and Human Services would match cash donations to lowa’s six regional food banks up to $1 million. This week River Bend Food Bank announced it successfully raised $145,000 in cash donations from lowa residents and businesses to secure its portion of the state match. Additionally, the State of Illinois has committed $700,000 to River Bend Food Bank as part of its SNAP emergency response.
“These are unprecedented times and the compassion and support of individuals of all ages and our corporate supporters are essential,” Ford said. “Tonight we celebrate our students who have delivered an incredible Student Hunger Drive campaign. Tomorrow we continue to leverage every tool we have to deliver as much food as we can at this critical time.”
