Power Snack visit Charles City
posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2018
“We absolutely see a difference in students that come to school hungry versus those that don’t,” said Scotti Hagensick, 3-6 School Counselor at Lincoln Elementary in Charles City. “Students who experience food insecurity are tired and unable to concentrate on academics.”
According to the Food Bank of Iowa, 1 in 5 children are considered food-insecure, meaning they do not have enough to eat. And with Thanksgiving break right around the corner, many students will go without important meals like breakfast and lunch that they typically receive at school.
“To ensure that no child ever goes hungry, Power Snack coupons for deli ham and whole wheat bread are distributed before holidays and extended weekends,” said Allyson Ladd, communications specialist at Iowa Select Farms. “We work with teachers, counselors and principals to identify students in need.”
A program of Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, Power Snack aims to provide nutritious food for at-risk children in grades K-12. Now in its sixth year, Power Snack supports nearly 24,000 children statewide.
Power Snack Teacher Kits are being hand-delivered to teachers and school nurses by employees of Iowa Select Farms November 6-19, 2018. Teacher Kits contain program information and four packs of coupons for each child, intended for distribution to at-risk children right before Thanksgiving, winter, spring and summer breaks.
“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.”
75 children at Lincoln Elementary will receive Power Snack—a contribution valued at $2,400 and enough resources to make 2,700 ham sandwiches.
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