Power Snack visits Southeast Valley CSD
posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2018
“For some of our students, the only food they receive is what they get at school,” said Amanda Strouse, student support services at Southeast Valley Jaguars High School. “When students are hungry they don’t focus well and it affects their grades. These coupons are going to be such a relief for so many of our families.”
To support food-insecure children within in the Southeast Valley School District and statewide, Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation are delivering Power Snacks—coupons for deli ham and whole wheat bread. Four times throughout the school year, eligible students will receive a $5 coupon for a pound of deli ham and a $3 coupon for a loaf of whole wheat bread.
“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.”
This year, Power Snack will provide 23,267 children across 127 schools with 837,612 meals—a 23 percent increase from 2017.
“When students spend the day worrying about when or where their next meal comes from, it takes their focus away from school,” said Jenny Eckert, counselor at SE Valley Middle School. “If they’re not getting their basic nutrition needs, their body doesn’t have the fuel it needs for daily activities.”
In total, 2,726 students in Webster County will receive Power Snacks four times throughout the 2018-2019 school year—a contribution valued at $87,232 and enough supplies to make 98,138 ham sandwiches.
Southeast Valley Middle and High, Dayton Elementary and Prairie Valley Elementary will all receive coupons for at-risk students.
“The Power Snack program means a lot to use because we can reach families who aren’t able to take advantage of local food pantries and more importantly, their kids,” said Daniel Grandfield, PK-4 Principal at Dayton Elementary. “Hungry kids can’t learn, and this program helps us keep our students nourished and focused on learning.”
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