Radio Iowa You are here: Home Record number served in 2020 by state’s largest food pantry Iowa’s largest food pantry offered help to more people in 2020 than ever before in its 128-year history. The Bidwell Riverside Center served more than 16,700 individuals during the past year. Spokeswoman Alison Hanner says certain items are in constant demand at the Des Moines-based facility. “Peanut butter is always needed and wanted,” Hanner says, “as well as canned fruits and canned vegetables.” In addition to it being the center’s busiest year, it was also the busiest March, November and December on record. She says many clients Bidwell serves lost their jobs during the pandemic and with their children learning virtually, had more mouths to feed more meals.