Power Snack visits Chariton Preschool

“When kids come to school hungry, it affects their performance,” said Susan Duley, a teacher at Chariton Preschool. “Rather than learning, they are focused on filling their tummies or having tummy aches.”

According to the Food Bank of Iowa, 1 in 5 children are considered food-insecure and unfortunately, several of those children are in Lucas County.

“It’s hard to believe that childhood hunger exists right in our own backyard, which is why programs like Power Snack are so appreciated,” she said. “Anything we can do to help our kids at the local level.”

Power Snack, a program of Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, aims to reduce childhood hunger by providing access to nutritious foods. Children enrolled in the program receive a $5 coupon for deli ham and a $3 coupon for a loaf of whole wheat bread.

“Power Snack™ is indicative of the larger purpose of the program—empower children in food insecure homes by teaching them how to get to the store, shop for nutritious food covered by the coupons and make their own snacks,” said Jen Sorenson, communications director of Iowa Select Farms. “Oftentimes parents are working on weekends and holidays. Something simple like a ham sandwich may be the difference in preventing kids from going hungry.”

Now in its sixth year, Power Snack supports 23,267 children statewide in grades K-12. 30 students at the Chariton Preschool will receive Power Snack four times throughout the school year—a contribution valued at $960 and enough supplies to make 1,080 ham sandwiches.

“What excites me most about this program is that it provides our kids access to healthy foods that they can actually prepare themselves,” said Susan. “When they’re full, they are able to focus on skills they need to be successful.”

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