Fourth District Focus: Visting the Britt Area Food Bank

Since I was first elected to Congress, I pledged that I would travel to all 36 counties in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District at least twice each year. It’s a promise that I’ve faithfully kept and dubbed my “36 County Tour.” To date, I have made more than 345 stops, meeting with Iowans and visiting hospitals, farms, schools, businesses, manufacturers, universities, community organizations, and many other places. Having real, face-to-face conversations with Iowans and is important to me, and allows me to take their suggestions and ideas to Washington to transform them into meaningful policy solutions.

Since I was elected, I have visited Hancock County many times to see firsthand how community and business leaders are working to fuel growth in their communities. In 2021, I visited with Crown Point Builders and the Hancock County Economic Development to discuss housing shortages and toured Stellar Industries – the first U.S. business to design and manufacture a hydraulic hook lift hoist – in Garner. In 2022, I returned to Garner to tour Plas-Tech Tooling, a family-owned business that started out of a garage 30 years ago and now employs 30 people and toured the John V. Handon Career Center in Forest City. In 2023, I was once again in Garner to tour Iowa Mold Tooling with employees and local officials with a following stop in Britt for a Farm Bill town hall with the public. 

Last year, I stopped by Athletico Physical Therapy in Garner to discuss the work that can be done for our rural clinics and healthcare facilities that serve our families and communities. My second stop of the year brought me back to the lovely town of Garner for a roundtable with the Hancock County Economic Development Corporation where we discussed EPA overreach, affordable daycare, the agricultural economy, the Farm Bill, and California’s emissions mandate for trucks.

For my first stop in Hancock County on 2025’s 36 County Tour, I visited the Britt Area Food Bank — which partners with the Food Bank of Iowa, businesses in town, and local churches to serve about 80 families each month. It is so inspiring to witness the servant leadership put on display by those that volunteer at the Food Bank. This past winter, my press assistant, Beau, also spent time volunteering at a food bank in the Sioux City area. His feedback matched that of the Britt Area Food Bank volunteers; by passing a revitalized Farm Bill, we can help our farmers produce local, nutritious meals for our food insecure families.

Being accessible to and transparent with Iowans will always be a top priority for me. Ensuring that the voice of my constituents is heard loud and clear in the halls of Congress is not only my mission, but also my humble responsibility. I look forward to visiting Hancock County again soon. We are government of the people, by the people, and for the people, so I encourage you to get involved and make your thoughts and opinions known.