Project: Food and Fellowship, We Honor Veterans in Rural Iowa

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Allied nations and Germany signed an armistice ending World War I. We mark November 11 as Veterans Day, now a national holiday and an opportunity to pay tribute to all American veterans—living or dead— especially to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

We at Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation are proud to recognize Iowa’s veterans and show gratitude to all who served our country. Today, through Project: Food and Fellowship, we honored veterans in rural Iowa.

The Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown is home to six Gulf War Veterans, 60 Korean War Veterans, 88 Peace Time Veterans, 240 Vietnam Veterans, 35 World War II Veterans and 74 spouses.

Today, with Project: Food and Fellowship, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation made this day special by promoting fellowship, patriotism and bringing people together.

It is the little things that make days like today special. And, there were lots of special details for those veterans and their spouses in Marshalltown today.

Veterans having lunch in Malloy Hall were treated to a patriotic surprise when 500 frosted Gramma Rickie's Sweet Shop sugar cookies appeared in the dining hall line.

Over at Heinz Hall, a special meal of sliced pork loin, baked beans, and macaroni salad was prepared for 60 residents by Marty and Cathy Shogren of Iowa Falls. Marty—whose father, Doug, is resident and a Vietnam Veteran—reached out to the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation for a donation of pork loins, which he carefully smoked for 24 hours on his new smoker.

Finally, 30 boxes of donated items were left in the hands of the Chaplain over at the IVH’s Volunteer Services. The boxes were filled with warm sweatpants, socks, body wash, crossword puzzles and movie snacks—all items found on the IVH’s Wish List.

More Articles

Home of the Free Because of the Brave

On November 1st, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, through our Food and Fellowship program, donated over 4,000 pork loins to local veteran organizations and schools hosting a 2023 Veterans Day event.

Darl Starek Wins Q1 Select Pride Award

Congratulations to Darl Starek and his team of Todd Nolte, Isaac Noelck, Jesus Andrade, Ryan Bakker, Shawn Balvanz, Jeremy Welch, Al Deberg, Mike Meyer, Brad Hockenmeyer and Jeff Hockenmeyer for earning the number one spot for quarter one finishing.

Happy Retirement to Manny Batista

Manny Batista has been a Breeding Specialist with Iowa Select Farms since 2010. Reuben says Manny's attention to detail and expertise contributed significantly to the team.

All Articles