"The Power Snack™ program knocks down barriers for our students who are food insecure," said David Heinrichs, Superintendent of Lenox Community Schools. "It alleviates the worry students have about being hungry, both in and out of the classroom."

From October 20-Nov 22 the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation delivered coupons that supplied a total of over 1,170,000 ham sandwiches--as well as 20,000 pork snack sticks--to students who battle food insecurity. In total, 89 different school districts received Power Snack™ Teacher Supply Kits.

For the past nine years, Power Snack™ has worked to reduce childhood hunger in Iowa and provided students the means to purchase nutritious food that would be prepared at home, especially during school breaks when there is no school lunch to fall back on.

Children identified by the school as food insecure each year receive four Power Snack packs from the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, each with a $5 coupon for deli ham and a $3 coupon for a loaf of whole wheat bread.

"No child should ever have to worry about where the next meal is going to come from, and sadly that is a reality for some Iowans," said Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms. "We want to end hunger by providing healthy and nutritious food to families and children."

"This program will help fill the tummies of little children whose parents are less fortunate," said Diane Braun, Administrative Assistant at Roland-Story Elementary School. "When they come to school full, they will do better academically."

"There are days when students come to school in tears because they are so hungry," said Hayley English, Secretary at Fairview Park Elementary in Spencer. "It's the sad reality and we cannot express how much these coupons mean to us."

Protein is critical to childhood development, and pork is one of the strongest sources of that. Pork is rich in many vitamins and minerals and provides the nutrients that help students excel, both in and out of the classroom.

“The Power Snack™ program benefits our students and families identified as low-income by providing them with a healthy meal source that is at no cost to them, can be obtained fairly conveniently, and is one less meal that parents/guardians have to worry about providing,” said Kristi Shanks, Counselor for Carroll High School. “Each year, our students are grateful to receive this service. Thank you!”

“Year after year, I continue to have parents express how grateful they are for your Power Snack™ coupons,” said Makaela Hoffman, Principal at Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock (RRMR) Elementary School. “Thank you for continuing to provide this program for our families and students.”

“We love this program! We have used it before, and it is wonderful,” said Leanne Ermer, Counselor for Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary and Middle School. “When kids come to school hungry, they can't work to their potential. Food and shelter are their number one basic needs. When a student comes to school hungry, it's great to have a supply of food/protein to give to them. We can't teach them when they are too hungry to concentrate. Thank you for providing this worthwhile program!”

“We have many students who unfortunately don’t have enough food at home,” said Deb Peterson, the Backpack for Kids Coordinator for Webster City Community School District. “Power Snack is a great addition to our backpack program, and we truly appreciate your continued support.”

Student Success Coordinator McKristie Willard says, “students get so excited about these coupons because they know it means healthy and delicious food for their family!”

2021-2022 POWER SNACK™ COMMUNITIES