The Perry Food Pantry was able to serve children healthier meals this past week, thanks to a program from the United States Department of Agriculture.
According to Food Pantry Manager Lou Hoger, over the past couple of years, the USDA orchestrated a system to send Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cards with $40 to each child in Iowa who was eligible for free or reduced lunches in their school districts. He explains that Governor Kim Reynolds chose not to participate in the program in years past, but decided to help out this year, as the state was granted $1.9 million for her to purchase healthier food options for kids to use their SNAP cards on, rather than junk food.
Hoger indicates that Reynolds notified the six American Feeding Food Banks in Iowa that they would each receive a portion of the $1.9 million to give those commodities to their respective distribution centers. He outlines that Waukee, Adel, and Perry are the three locations in Dallas County that were the recipients. Hoger details they split up serving commodities to youth that are 4-18 years old over the span of two days, with this past Monday and Wednesday, June 16th and 18th from 10am-7pm.
He highlights that compared to his regular distribution, he was graciously given a large amount of perishable items from the Food Bank of Iowa, including 540 cans of pasta, then 270 cans of pasta sauce, 270 one pound bags of spaghetti, 270 packages of tortillas, 270 packages of pancakes and waffle mix, 270 one pound bags of shredded cheddar cheese, 270 dozens eggs, and 270 packs of ground beef.
Hoger notes that the food pantry was able to serve approximately 250 households over the course of the two days. He shares that the leftover items from the program will be given away during the regular hours the local food pantry is open, which is Tuesdays from 10am-12:30pm and Thursdays from 3-6pm. Hoger reveals the Perry Food Pantry will have two more distribution days in both July and August, as the next two will be coming up on July 2nd and July 30th.