Colo-Nesco Community Schools Power Snack Delivery
posted on Thursday, January 4, 2018
“Food insecurity in children is an ever growing concern,” said Tony Stalzer, the At-Risk-Coach for the Colo-Nesco Community School District. “Not only is it an issue for some of these students just to find food, but to also work towards building good eating habits with healthy, nutritious food.”
The Power Snack Program is designed to give food insecure students throughout the state of Iowa the means to make high-protein ham sandwiches. Each student enrolled in the program will receive $5 coupons for shaved or sliced ham and $3 coupons for whole wheat bread. These coupons, dressed in a super hero theme, empower students to take to the grocery store, pick up deli ham and a loaf of bread and be able to make their own snacks without having to worry about help from a parent or guardian.
At Colo-Nesco schools, the percentage of students on free and reduced lunch is high. The percentage presents a concern for faculty and staff regarding students eating healthy and succeeding academically. For students who come to school hungry and need a snack to tide them over until lunch, there is always a teacher they can turn to for a snack; however, the Power Snack coupons are just another way for teachers to help their students.
This year, the Power Snack Program will support 45 students in the Colo-Nesco school District. Each student will receive the pack of coupons four times throughout the school year: a $1,440 investment. Statewide, more than 72,000 Power Snack coupons will be distributed during the 2017-2018 school year.
“These coupons will be a valuable addition to children in our school district, especially during extended holiday breaks where they are not at school getting a balanced meal,” Stalzer continued. “The coupons can provide the students with something special they may not otherwise have and introduce them to a different source of protein to make meals with.”
In addition to the Power Snack program, the kids at Colo-Nesco schools receive a lot of love and support from their teachers and community members. The schools are a part of the Backpack program and every Friday, teachers make sure their food insecure children get a bag full of kid friendly foods for the weekend. The community also have a few food banks that offer help to anyone who may need it.
“This is such a wonderful program that helps kids in Iowa,” beamed Stanzler. “The kids of our state are the future of our communities, state, country and of our world. We need to do everything we can to give them the best opportunity to be successful.”
Subscribe to our newsletter: Get fresh articles delivered straight to your inbox.
Subscribe