Despite veto, food banks plan to continue fight for state fundin - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Iowa's Lieutenant Governor is defending Governor Terry Branstad's decision to block a $500,000 allocation to the Food Banks in Iowa.

Kim Reynolds says the private sector should take the lead on food drives, instead of government.

The Food Bank of Siouxland was set to receive about $37,000 of that funding.

Executive Director Linda Scheid said the Legislature chose to designate that money to feed the poor, because Iowa is one of only 12 states in the country that doesn't.

She said the money would have provided more than an entire truck full of food. But they haven't given up hope.

"We will come back together and we will ask again next year and start early, making sure everyone understands how it would work and the fact that it would benefit everybody everywhere in the state of Iowa that needs assistance with their food," said Linda Scheid of Food Bank of Siouxland.

Scheid says the need for food donations is critical, especially during the summer months.

That's because kids are home for summer break, and not getting the meals that are supplemented by the schools.