Iowa State center Audi Crooks (55) shoots over Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke (45) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

ALGONA — The success Audi Crooks has earned on the basketball court has already made her a household name, and the Iowa State junior All-American has thousands of supporters behind her.

Now, the preseason Naismith Player of Year nominee is making the most of being able to give back to her community.

“(The city of Algona and the surrounding area) has shown me great support, from kindergarten al the way up to now being an athlete at Iowa State,” said Crooks, who averaged 23.4 points per game as a first team all-Big 12 selection for the Cyclones last season. “So, if I’m able to give back any way, I am more than happy to help.”

The Bishop Garrigan graduate is lending a helping hand to those who have lost or had their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits reduced. She is offering assistance to residents in Kossuth County through her Audi Crooks Foundation.

“I think everyone should be more willing to support others in their time of need,” Crooks said. “It means a lot to me because I believe that compassion always comes first, and nobody should go without food security.

“There seems to be judgement and criticism surrounding this issue, but as somebody who tries to walk by faith, I see this as the perfect opportunity to put it into practice.”

SNAP funding is being delayed due to the government shutdown. A judge ruled that the government must use emergency funds to continue paying benefits, but some states are not loading the November payments onto EBT cards due to the ongoing impasse.

If funding resumes, missed November benefits will be issued retroactively.

“What made me want to help is the thought of families and children trying to better themselves without proper nutrition,” Crooks said. “No child should ever go to school hungry, as lack of food has been proven to decrease academic and athletic performance.

“And then there are the single-parent households struggling to make ends meet. My late father (Fort Dodge Senior High graduate Jimmie Crooks) once relied on SNAP benefits to feed himself and our family due to a disability, so it’s definitely a soft spot for me.”

Crooks, the daughter of Crooks and Bishop Garrigan alum Michelle (Vitzthum) Cook, has implemented a “Knock N Dash” program to lend a hand to families. Residents are asked to complete a short form https://www.audicrooksfoundation.org/knock-n-dash, noting household size and location, and volunteers deliver care packages directly to their doors — no questions asked and no judgement.

“As soon as I heard the news that the SNAP benefits were being reduced and cut off, I immediately thought of all the people in my own community and around the world, honestly, that could go without food,” Crooks said. “Although I would love to help more people, I think starting with my community is just one small way to make the world a little better.”

Monetary donations are being accepted at Threads in Algona, and currently through Crooks’ Venmo @audicrooks.