At the end of July, our Metro North Rotarians swapped out their pasta and breadsticks at Biaggi’s for a hands-on opportunity to serve the community! Members rolled up their sleeves to volunteer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor’s 23rd Annual Fish-O-Rama, our club’s first volunteer project of the 2025-2026 Rotary year.

Fish-O-Rama is a unique fundraiser where the Boys & Girls Clubs release tagged catfish into Robbins Lake. Participants fish for these tagged catfish, and when they catch one, they can exchange it for a prize — creating a fun and family-friendly event that draws the community together in support of the Club. Our Rotarians helped with check-in, assisting pre-registered participants in picking up their event bags, and ensuring the day ran smoothly.

Earlier this month, we had the privilege of serving a meal at Mission of Hope - Cedar Rapids, an organization that provides a vital Weekday Meal Program offering free meals to those in need. Led by Executive Director Chris Caswell, the program serves hundreds of individuals each week, with over 80 people attending the day we served, though the numbers can reach up to 150. Amid the growing demand, Mission of Hope has seen a 30% increase in meal recipients while donations have unfortunately decreased, making community support more important than ever.

When Chris, one of our dedicated Rotarians, reached out for additional meal providers, we were happy to step in and support this great cause. If you're looking to make a difference, consider volunteering or donating to Mission of Hope. It's a rewarding way to give back to the community. To learn more about their programs and how you can help, visit Mission of Hope's website.