WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The COVID-19 pandemic has changed some ways of getting food to hungry people, but food still is being donated and distributed to meet the increased need. West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee, with stores in Missouri and eight other states, often donates to food banks, spokeswoman Christina Gayman said. In addition, many suppliers have approached the chain for help with distributing surplus food. “They know that we have either the food bank contacts or the media contacts to share this information in local communities,” Gayman said. Hy-Vee acts as a conduit between the wholesalers and consumers or food banks. Hy-Vee has arranged contact-less distribution of mangoes, carrots and bananas in several communities. The chain also coordinated a 40,000-pound donation of watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe to the Food Bank of Iowa, where Director Michelle Book said the food pantries that receive donations from the Food Bank are grateful. “It is not difficult for us to find…