(Radio Iowa) — Iowa non-profits are hoping today’s (Tuesday’s) global focus on philanthropy boosts local budgets in the midst of escalating need. Like many organizations, the Food Bank of Iowa has a “Giving Tuesday Now” button on its website. Michelle Book, the president and C-E-O of the Food Bank of Iowa, says food banks and food pantries are serving tens of thousands Iowans who’ve been laid off recently because of the pandemic. “We have those folks who are now new to need,” Book says. “…On top of the 11-12% of the people we were already serving across the state of Iowa, we now have a new group of people.”

Book made her comments during a recent appearance on Iowa P-B-S. The Center for Financial Education, a faith-based non-profit based in Sioux Center, is making an appeal for donations today (Tuesday). Tricia Driesen, the center’s director, says this comes at a time when their services are in high demand as people who’ve lost their job try to figure out their options. “We can help them by establishing a plan, giving them some ideas on where to cut expenses” she says, “helping them negotiate with some of their creditors.”

Museums, community foundations and churches are the among many organizations around the state making pitches on this “Giving Tuesday Now.” Giving Tuesday is normally the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving and over the past eight years it has become a major driver of international philanthropy.