Community Building Workshops

Join us for a summer of community action! The Coralville Community Food Pantry is hosting a Series of Community Building Workshops featuring free food and fun. These workshops are all about bringing people together, building better communication skills, and learning more about the policies that shape everyday life in Iowa. Workshops will generally take place in the Pantry’s Community Room with food starting at 1pm and the workshops beginning at 2pm on Saturdays.

Workshops:

Saturday, June 7th 1:00-3:00 pm - The Power of a Story: Strong communicators don’t just share facts, they tell stories that connect and inspire. This interactive workshop will teach you the fundamentals of storytelling for leadership and personal communication, with hands-on activities to help you craft and share your own story. You'll leave ready to lead with impact through the power of story. Led by Nick Westergaard.

POSTPONED - The Landscape of Food Policy: This workshop offers an overview of recent developments shaping food access and security at both the state and national levels. This workshop will focus on key outcomes from the most recent Iowa legislative session, highlighting major policy proposals, which measures passed, and how these changes are being implemented across the state. We will explore what these changes mean for the communities facing hunger and the organizations dedicated to supporting them. Led by Luke Elzinga.

POSTPONED - Connecting with Curiosity: In times of deep division and growing need, how we speak — and how we listen — matters more than ever. This interactive workshop is designed to build practical communication skills for engaging with individuals and communities of all backgrounds. Participants will learn how to approach conversations with empathy and respect, navigate difficult dialogues without judgment, and create space for trust and connection. Led by Anne Ventullo.

Saturday, July 26th - SCAN Advocacy Summit: SCAN’s Iowa State Advocacy summit will bring people together from across Iowa for a day of training, networking, food, and fun! In the morning, participants will have the opportunity to hear from experts on child food insecurity and early childhood education. In the afternoon attendees will have the option to choose between beginner and advanced advocacy trainings, including how to have impactful conversations with lawmakers along with other key advocacy skills. Organized by Paige Chickering.

August details coming soon!