posted on Tuesday, June 8, 2021
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We salute our military, veterans, and military families every month of the year, but looking back through the month of May--Military Appreciation Month—we tried to make moments special for the families of the men and women who defend our freedom.
Food brings families together, and meals can be an opportunity for connection, communication and fun. And what better food than our favorite, pork!? Over the last few weeks, we have distributed nearly 11,690 coupon packets worth $35 each to Iowa service members, ROTC cadets, veterans’ groups, and survivors of the fallen. Over the next couple of weeks, we will send out another 2,520 care packages to VFW and American Legions in the Homegrown Iowa communities where our employees work and live.
The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation has been sending out the pork care packages for eight years, which was recognized by the Major General of the Iowa National Guard this year in a letter, in which he wrote, “The substantial contribution you provide strengthens and supports our most precious resource, our military family community, by bringing them together to the dinner table and creating long-lasting memories."
In addition to the coupons, each coupon packet informed the recipients of a new component to the program this year. The first 200 folks to send a photograph of their family or friends enjoying the pork purchased with the coupons will receive a grill kit and Family Fun Time Activity Pack. Each grill kit includes an apron declaring the wearer “Commander of the Grill,” two custom-blended rubs, a fun tote bucket, and a meat thermometer.
The photographs have been flooding in —service members with rave reviews, all the way from Davenport to Sioux City. “You guys are awesome, and I just want to let you know how appreciative we are to receive your pork coupon books! We do what we do for people like you,” wrote one pilot from 132d wing out of Des Moines.
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