Osage Openly Accepts PowerSnack
posted on Tuesday, November 3, 2020
“It is hard to believe so many children don't receive the basic food and nutrition they need to sustain a healthy lifestyle,” said Osage Community School High School Counselor, Alyssa Abbas. “Without the proper diet, children are unable to focus in school because they are more concerned with the growling tummy and when their next meal will be.”
With one in seven Iowa children facing food insecurity, Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation are fighting back with 1,000,000 ham sandwiches, 20,000 pork sticks and educational resources for teachers. These nutritious, protein-packed goodies are through the Foundation’s Power Snack™ program. Now in its eighth year, Power Snack has supported 1,160 at-risk students in Mitchell County with 55,680 ham sandwiches, a contribution valued at $37,120.
“As farmers and pork producers we are passionate about assisting hunger-relief efforts, particularly those directed towards children,” said Jen Sorenson, communications director of Iowa Select Farms. “As part of our ongoing commitment to rural Iowa, we continue to grow efforts like Power Snack.”
Power Snack, a program organized and funded by Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, provides deli ham and whole wheat bread coupons for food insecure children to ease the burden of not having enough funds to purchase nutritious food that is critical in both physical and cognitive development. The coupons can be redeemed at any local grocery store or market and provide the resources for twelve ham sandwiches.
“Keeping kids’ bellies full is important so they can focus and school and during activities,” continued Alyssa.
Coupons are distributed before extended weekends and holiday breaks, like Thanksgiving, when students go lengthy periods of time without school meals.
“Kids love ham,” explained Jen Sorenson, communications director of Iowa Select Farms. “It’s easy to prepare, full of flavor and promotes growth and development. Combining the energy and carbohydrates of whole wheat bread with the protein of ham means the children will have made themselves a real Power Snack.”
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