Meeting Communities Where They Are: Zuli Garcia and Knock and Drop Iowa

What does it look like to build public health programs around what a community actually needs? In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, Lauren talks with Zuli Garcia, founder and president of Knock and Drop Iowa. The organization began in Zuli’s garage during the COVID-19 pandemic as a culturally specific Latino food pantry and has since grown into a multicultural organization serving hundreds of Iowa households each week. Zuli shares why culturally appropriate food matters, how Knock and Drop Iowa grew from an emergency response into a nonprofit, and how food rescue and partnerships with local organizations help the pantry serve families across the Des Moines area. The conversation also explores Knock and Drop Iowa’s expansion into health education and vaccine access. Zuli discusses how her own experience with cervical cancer influenced her work around HPV education, screening, vaccination, and patient advocacy, and why making health information convenient, understandable, and culturally responsive is critical. Throughout the episode, Zuli explains how Knock and Drop Iowa has built trust by listening to communities, partnering with trusted local leaders, and bringing resources into existing events and spaces rather than expecting people to come to them. It’s a conversation about food insecurity, access to care, cultural responsiveness, community trust, and what it means to truly meet people where they are. Learn more about Knock and Drop Iowa: To learn more, get involved, request programming in your community, or support the organization: Email Zuli at [email protected] Call or text 515-330-6077 Visit the Knock and Drop Iowa website for information about volunteering and ways to donate. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-meeting-communities-where-they-are-with-zuli-garcia-and-knock-and-drop-iowa/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #communityhealth #foodpantry #latino #culturalimportance #healthscreening #foodinsecurity #nonprofit #CEO #iowacity