Mount Ayr Community Schools are Visited by the Super Snacker
posted on Sunday, November 17, 2019
“Approximately 50% of our students qualify for free or reduced meals,” said Stacey Andresen, RN and school nurse at Mount Ayr Community School. “Hungry students have trouble learning, lack focus and often exhibit behavior issues.”
According to the Food Bank of Iowa, 1 in 5 children are food insecure. When a child’s basic nutrition needs are not met, they struggle in school.
“When hunger is not an issue it’s easier for students to learn and stay healthy,” continued Stacey. “But unfortunately, many of these kids do not have control over their situations.”
Thanks to Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, at-risk children in Mount Ayr and 124 other rural communities across Iowa will be receiving Power Snack kits containing a $5 coupon for deli ham and a $3 coupon for a loaf of whole wheat bread—the ingredients needed to make their own “Power Snacks” at home.
“We don’t have any other food-assistance programs for students in need so this program is really going to be a blessing for several families in our community,” said Stacey. “It provides relief during long breaks, which can be especially hard on students.”
As farmers and pork producers, Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation are passionate about assisting hunger-relief efforts in Iowa, particularly those directed towards children.
Along with the coupons, the school will receive pork sticks to help in emergency hunger situations and children and their families receive a Protein Power! booklet filled with easy recipes, such as how to make the perfect ham sandwich, scrambled eggs, and ham, grilled ham, and cheese, ham wraps, ham pizza snacks and ham, cheese and crackers.
“It’s no secret that protein helps with growth and healing,” continued Stacey. “It’s very important in the diets of young, developing students but unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive things at the grocery store. These coupons enable us to further help our students in need.”
On today’s visit, our team delivered 200 Power Snack booklets and 75 pork sticks—a contribution valued at $1,600 and more importantly, enough resources to make 2,400 ham sandwiches.
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