The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation donates over $1 million in products to school districts throughout the state to tackle food insecurity, including ten local schools. What started back in 2012, the Power Snack program distributes 24,000 pork sticks to be available in different offices at school buildings to provide children easy access to protein when needed, as well as 96,000 coupons to participating students for families to receive four pounds of deli ham and four loaves of whole wheat bread. This $1 million investment will impact over 25,000 students and families throughout 83 school districts where Iowa Select employees live and work. Carroll, Denison, East Sac County, Greene County, Manson Northwest Webster, OABCIG, Paton Churdan, Schaller Crestland, Schleswig, and South Central Calhoun Community School Districts were among the participating schools in the Power Snack program, supporting health and well-being of students. Laura Noehren, Foundation Program Manager, says, “Power Snack serves as part of the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation and Iowa Select Farms’ long-standing commitment to Iowa’s children. Every child deserves nutritious, filling meals, and we aim to bring meals to those who need them the most throughout hunger-fighting programs.” According to the Iowa Department of Education, 42 percent of Iowa students qualify for free and reduced lunch programs, and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation continues to bridge that gap through programs like this, providing healthy meals to students even when school is not in session. The Power Snack program follows the success of Haul Out Hunger, a summer program that donated over 33,000 pounds of ground pork to communities in need, and Iowa Select will begin the annual Operation Christmas Meal pork loin giveaway in December.
