An Iowa-based organization ramped up giving efforts in 2019.
The Deb & Jeff Hansen Foundation recorded tremendous growth, all while remaining dedicated to three key areas: To provide food to struggling Iowans, show gratitude to members of the Armed Forces, and improve the quality of life for families impacted by childhood cancer. Allyson Ladd, communications specialist with Iowa Select Farms, says ?2019 was a busy year for us at Iowa Select Farms and the Deb & Jeff Hansen Foundation.?
?We have eight main programs at the Deb & Jeff Hansen Foundation. The various programs were able to impact 67,013 families across the state of Iowa and that donation is valued at $1,565,000,? Ladd said. ?We?d love to thank our donors. The work of the Foundation wouldn?t be possible without Jeff and Deb Hansen, Iowa Select Farms, and the generous donations we receive from our employees, suppliers, contractors, and friends of the Foundation.?
Two-thousand-and-nineteen was ?one of their biggest donation years,” thanks in part to four new initiatives – Henry?s Heroes, Project: Food and Fellowship, Little Free Pantry, and Ignite the Spirit.
?Each year, we work to, ?How can we do it bigger?? and ?How can we do it better?? This year was that, and it was mostly through the introduction of these four, new flagship programs,” Ladd said. “These programs wouldn?t be possible if it weren?t for our incredible employees and contractors that step up to volunteer.”
?We (also) grew Operation Christmas Meal. The free pork loin giveaway starts at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where we distributed 5,000 pork loins to people in Des Moines. This year we were able to take Operation Christmas Meal to 14 different communities across the state. We also grew our Power Snack Program. Last year we donated supplies for 1,076,000 ham sandwiches for kids across the state and introduced a pork snack stick to our Power Snack Program. We were able to donate 10,000 pork sticks for kids across the state,? Ladd said.
The Deb & Jeff Hansen Foundation strives to grow its efforts, whether through larger donations or new programs. Ladd says 2020 looks to yield similar results.
“One great thing about farmers is when we’re faced with a challenge, we get together, band our arms, and help each other out. We don’t sit back and wait for something to happen. We roll up our sleeves and get to work,” Ladd said. “Over the past few months, the Foundation has added a new program that meets the challenges presented by COVID-19, called Helping the Helpers. This program helps recognize people that are working on the front-lines of the COVID 19 crisis and supply them with a pork care package.”
