The O'Brien County Veterans Affairs Office is a trailblazer in Iowa.

Director Katie Ginger last fall opened a food pantry for local veterans at her office in the courthouse – the first of its kind for a VA office in the Hawkeye State. Since then, the pantry has been used by as many as 21 households totaling 45 individuals in one month.

"We were seeing a need that wasn't being met," said Ginger. "Oftentimes, a veteran has a sense of pride and is unlikely to ask for help even when they may need it the most. Food insecurity has been on the rise."

The pantry offers nonperishable canned goods and m...