Operation Christmas Meal

posted on Friday, December 1, 2017

“It’s in the DNA of Iowa farmers,” said Jeff Hansen, CEO of Iowa Select Farms. “Growing up as third generation farmers and in the early years of Iowa Select Farms, we always did what we could to help people. It warms all of our hearts to be able to do Operation Christmas Meal every year."

“When I look out and see hundreds of car, it really brings an awareness of the world outside our window, of hunger, and hungry people,” said Deb Hansen. “We’re here to give back, and make Christmas a little brighter for these families.”

Now in its seventh year, Operation Christmas Meal has provided over 504,000 Christmas meals to Iowans in need. The Des Moines-based event has become a holiday tradition for the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation with over 120 Iowa Select Farms employees volunteering to brave the cold and hand out the pork loins.

All of the effort to get here and set up with worth it,” said Tiffany Schnitker, production well-being specialist for Iowa Select Farms. Her husband Allan, is the manager at Sow 117 and also volunteered for Operation Christmas Meal. “Being a part of the Iowa Select Farms family and helping on this special day was rewarding to me. To see a smile come to so many faces, and knowing they have something great to eat during the holidays.”

This morning on WHO Radio, Hansen announced the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation’s Operation Christmas Meal will be held in 12 additional Iowa communities, all in time for Christmas. “We want to help more families, so we’re going to take it all on the road.”

Beginning Dec 8, Operation Christmas Meal events will be held in Iowa Falls, Webster City, Clarion, Creston, Osceola, Humeston, Parkersburg, Riceville, Osage, Lake City, Sac City, and Pocahontas. Stay tuned as we roll out dates, locations and times on our website, social media throughout the local communities.