In the Riverside Community School District, a significant percentage of students qualify for free and reduced rate meals.
“Many of our students rely on school meals to meet their nutrition needs,” said Jana Hensley, a school based interventionist for the district. “Food is a basic need. We need it to fuel our bodies and function at our best. When students come to school hungry they may be irritable, lethargic and just not ready to jump into the day like their peers who had a good breakfast.”
New this year, food-insecure students in the Riverside Community School District will receive Power Snack coupon booklets containing a $5 coupon for deli ham and a $3 coupon for a loaf of whole wheat bread. A program of Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, Power Snack aims to reduce childhood hunger in Iowa by providing access to nutritious food at home.
“We work closely with school teachers and staff to get these coupons distributed four times throughout the school year,” explained Allyson Ladd, communication specialist at Iowa Select Farms. “Teachers are encouraged to distribute coupons before extended holiday breaks, like Thanksgiving, when students won’t have access to breakfast and lunch programs at school.”
Included with the coupons is a “Protein Power!” booklet filled with easy recipes, such as how to make the perfect ham sandwich, scrambled eggs and ham, grilled ham and cheese, ham wraps, ham pizza snacks and ham, cheese and crackers.
“This is an excellent addition to the Backpack program and food pantry we’re already able to offer students and families,” continued Jana. “Any kid can make a sandwich any time of day and get some quality nutrients. It’s going to be very helpful for families.”
160 Power Snacks were delivered in Carson today—a contribution valued at $1,280 and enough coupons for students to make 1,440 power snacks at home.
