Blakesburg Elementary Will Receive Power Snacks—A Contribution Valued at $1,600
posted on Thursday, November 21, 2019
“What excites me most about this program is the opportunity to provide our students with an easy-to-fix meal,” said Sheryl Friedman, Dean of Students at Blakesburg Elementary. “Plus, it’s an opportunity for them to eat something other than boxed or canned tuna. It’s a very welcomed changed.”
A program of Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, Power Snack aims to provide children access to nutritious food at home. Four times throughout the school year, children identified as food-insecure by their schools will receive a $5 coupon for deli ham and $3 coupon for whole wheat bread.
Now in its seventh year, Power Snack supports nearly 24,000 children statewide. In total, 50 students at Blakesburg Elementary will receive Power Snack—a contribution valued at $1,600 and enough supplies to make 7,200 ham sandwiches.
“Protein is important in the diets of young, developing students because it provides important nutrients necessary for muscle development and growth,” said Friedman. “Plus, it’s filling. When kids eat more protein, they stay fuller, longer.”
New this year, schools will also receive pork sticks to help curb hunger in immediate situations. The pork sticks will be kept on hand at school when kids come in hungry or complain about hunger throughout the day.
“We are excited about the addition of Pork Sticks because they’ll serve as an immediate, nutritious resource for kids,” said Jen Sorenson, Communications Director of Iowa Select Farms. “They pack a powerful protein punch and can help students curb hunger and focus on learning.”
In addition to Power Snack, Blakesburg is committed to fulfilling their students’ individual needs. They also participate in the Backpack Program, which sends kids home with bags of food every weekend. The food comes from the town’s local food bank, which the school has been relying on for the past three years.
“I think the most positive impact of sending these lunch boxes home with students is their happiness of knowing when they go home, there is something there to eat right away,” continued Friedman. “They don’t have to ask for food when they know that it might be hard. Instead, they already have it in their possession.”
In total, Power Snack supports 22,751 students statewide. Between November 11-22, 91,004 Power Snacks and 10,000 pork sticks will be delivered for 125 schools and districts across the state.
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