Storm Lake Elementary School Helps 650 Students with Food Insecurity
posted on Thursday, November 21, 2019
“It’s hard to see our students become uneasy on Fridays because they realize there won’t be food at their house over the weekend,” said Barb Lange, Principal at Storm Lake Elementary School. “We see many more behaviors on Fridays.”
According to the Food Bank of Iowa, food insecurity affects 1 in 5 children. When a child is considered food-insecure it means they do not have enough to eat.
While existing school-based food-assistance programs greatly aid the learning process, many students in Storm Lake and statewide are still left without food on weekends or extended holiday breaks.
“Students need proper nutrition to focus and be attentive in the classroom,” continued Principal Lange. “It is difficult for them to learn when they are not having their basic needs met.”
Power Snack, a program of Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, aims to reduce childhood hunger in Iowa by providing access to nutritious food at home. Throughout the 2018-2019 school year, 650 students at Storm Lake Elementary School will receive Power Snack—a contribution valued at $20,800.
Power Snack provides children with $5 coupons for deli ham and $3 coupons for a loaf of whole wheat bread. New this year, schools will also receive pork sticks to help alleviate hunger in emergency situations.
“The idea that students will have the opportunity to have a healthy, filling meal because of these coupons is just so exciting,” said Barb. “We do everything we can to help our students out and these coupons are just one step further in helping make sure no child goes hungry in our district.”
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