The Rotary Club of Clinton, Iowa, is proud to announce that it will host a Food Security Summit, scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Clinton Community College Career Advancement Center from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This significant event is part of the 2024-2025 Presidential Project led by Club President Carrie Donaire, focusing on addressing food insecurity throughout Clinton County.

Uniting for Change: Local Goals
The Food Security Summit aims to bring together Clinton’s social service agencies and county organizations to collaborate on developing sustainable solutions to food insecurity. Key aspects include:

• Community Planning Session: Representatives from social agencies and food pantries across Clinton County are invited to participate in a professionally facilitated session to create a forward-focused action plan. This day-long event will focus on fostering collaboration and resource sharing among local organizations.
• Role of Rotary Club of Clinton: Acting as a convener, the Rotary Club will support the effectiveness of existing local programs by fostering stronger partnerships and encouraging a unified approach to addressing food insecurity.
• Generous Support: The summit is made possible through funding from the Rotary Foundation, showcasing Rotary’s commitment to creating meaningful local change.
• Awareness Campaign: As part of the initiative, a video series will showcase the community’s collaborative efforts and promote broader awareness and support for addressing hunger in Clinton.

Leadership and Vision
Carrie Donaire, Rotary Club President, brings experience to the project. Having served in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, where she worked on food security and agricultural initiatives, Carrie’s leadership underscores Rotary’s ability to address pressing local challenges effectively.
“This summit represents Rotary’s commitment to creating lasting change through collaboration,” said Donaire. “By uniting local organizations, we aim to influence meaningful progress in the fight against food insecurity in Clinton.  It’s an issue that is near to my heart, and I’m grateful that my fellow Rotarians and committee members have been so supportive to help me bring this project to fruition.”

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
• Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Clinton Community College Career Advancement Center, 1210 11^th Avenue South, Clinton, Iowa.
• Facilitator and Keynote Speaker: Emily Webb is a technology transactions attorney with a commitment to combating food insecurity and enhancing her community's welfare. As the current Chair of the Polk County Hospital Board of Trustees, she has made a significant impact on local non-profits through her influential leadership. Most notably, Emily spent eight years on the DMARC Food Pantry Network Board, where she became the youngest President in the organization's history. Her unwavering belief in the power of community engagement drives her passionate advocacy for addressing food insecurity, inspiring others to join her mission of making a meaningful difference.
• The Food Security Summit Committee includes Rotarians Alethea Cahoy, Andy Green, Carrie Donaire and Susie Mesecher.  Community members on the planning committee are:  Michele Cullen, Clinton County Public Health; Regan Michelson, Information Referral and Assistance Services; and Sarah Saionz, Registered Dietician.

The committee is grateful to the Rotary Club of Clinton, host organization Clinton Community College, Lisa Toppert and the CCC Culinary students, and everyone who has stepped up to plan this important initiative for our community. 

People interested in attending can contact the Rotary Club at rotaryclubofclintonia@gmail.com. The event will feature a resource room where agencies can share their literature and contact information. For more information, please contact: Rotary Club of Clinton Email: rotaryclubofclintonia@gmail.com