With a belief that everyone deserves a good meal, especially during the holidays, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation celebrated another successful Operation Christmas Meal this December. The foundation distributed 24,000 pork loins to 23 communities across Iowa during the annual event, held over six days.
Marking its thirteenth year, Operation Christmas Meal has now provided over 2 million Christmas meals to nearly 690,000 Iowa families. Between Dec. 1 and Dec. 14, the event saw the generous donation of 24,000 boneless pork loin roasts at 23 different locations, facilitated by more than 250 dedicated employee volunteers, notes the release. This year’s contribution amounted to a remarkable total of more than 60 tons (121,000 pounds) of pork. Each pork loin tote also included a recipe booklet curated by local Iowan and popular food blogger Kelsey Byrnes of Dance Around the Kitchen.
“As farmers, it’s hard for us to see hunger exist in this world, we’re dedicated to taking care of our communities by offering free pork loins” said Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms in the release. “During an especially financially difficult time for families, Operation Christmas Meal helps create a happy holiday for all Iowans, no matter their circumstances or level of income.”
Amidst rising meat prices reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 2021 to 2022, with an additional increase in 2023, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation remains committed to supporting food security.
Furthermore, the Ignite the Spirit program reached a new milestone by awarding cases of pork loins and $500 in cash to nearly 80 local FFA, 4-H and school-based organizations across counties where Iowa Select Farms has a presence. This initiative, a record-breaking endeavor in 2023, empowered youth organizations to host community meals, organize and distribute holiday food baskets, and develop creative solutions to provide meals for families in need.
“Ignite the Spirit is an additional component of Operation Christmas Meal that increases awareness of hunger locally and helps even more families during the holiday season,” Sorenson adds. “We are encouraged to see so many student organizations working to better understand hunger, plan unique projects or events, and partner with organizations that provide different areas of support to local families.”
This year’s Operation Christmas Meal events took place in the following locations:
• Ackley
• Alta
• Belmond
• Chariton
• Cresco
• Des Moines
• Diagonal
• Dows
• Garner
• Hampton
• Holstein
• Humeston
• Ida Grove
• Iowa Falls
• Jewell
• Leon
• Lime Springs
• Murray
• Osage
• Pocahontas
• Riceville
• Rockwell City
• Sac City
