WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (May 4, 2020) — One thousand Iowans on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis will be receiving pork care-packages thanks to Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation. The program, called "Helping the Helpers," is seeking nominations for Iowans helping their communities during the global pandemic.
"Over the years we've tried to do our part to help communities when and where they need it the most," said Jen Sorenson, Iowa Select Farms Communications Director. "What we've come to find is that we are able to rebuild ourselves — oftentimes stronger than before — because there are people who care. Iowans from all walks of life, not just nurses and doctors, are stepping up to help right now and we want to recognize their efforts."
When faced with a challenge, Iowa farmers gather our friends, our neighbors, our families — we lock arms, we organize, and we get to work helping in whatever way is needed. It's in our DNA. With "Helping the Helpers," the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation will provide care for the caregivers, who are bravely doing what is in their DNA.
"When I heard about the new 'Helping the Helpers' program, I nominated my mother-in-law, who belongs to DMORT (Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team) and was deployed to New York City for three weeks," said Carl Ott, Environmental Services Manager at Iowa Select Farms. "She acted as a safety officer, enforcing clean/dirty lines and biosecurity protocols. Her team helped families find closure during a really tough time."
Kristi Jenkins, a sow-farm manager with Iowa Select Farms, submitted a 'Helping the Helpers' nomination for her childcare provider, Deana. ""Prior to Covid-19, Deana regularly cared for two of my kids, but now, with schools closed, she watches after all four so that me and my husband, who farms, can continue to work," said Kristi. "In addition to watching them all day, she makes sure they do their online learning, reading time, and helps with school. We would definitely be struggling if it wasn't for her."
Employees of Iowa Select Farms will safely assemble and mail out the 1,000 'Helping the Helpers' care-packages as nominations are received. Each pork care-package contains 25 protein-packed pork-sticks and a thank-you note. Heartwarming stories of 'Helping the Helpers' nominations will be shared on the Iowa Select Farms Facebook page and featured on the company blog. Nominations can be submitted at helpers.iowaselect.com.
Founded in 2006, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation facilitates programs throughout Iowa focused on providing hunger relief, showing gratitude to members of the Armed Services, and supporting families impacted by childhood cancer. Jeff and Deb Hansen are the owners of Iowa Select Farms, a privately-owned, Iowa-based pork-production company with 1,850 employees and contractors.
About the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation
The Hansens, who founded Iowa Select Farms and New Modern Concepts in Iowa Falls, Iowa, established the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation in 2006 to create programs and resources to relieve hunger, show gratitude to members of the Armed Services and their families, and strengthen efforts to find a cure for childhood cancer while improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
About Iowa Select Farms
Iowa Select Farms is the largest pork producer in Iowa and is committed to responsibly producing safe, nutritious, and high-quality pork for their customers and the food companies they serve. Founded by, and privately-owned by, Iowa Falls natives Jeff and Deb Hansen, the company has 242,000 sows and annually produces 1.5B pounds of pork. With 800 swine farms across the state, Iowa Select Farms is one of the leading economic engines to Iowa's rural communities through employing more than 1,200 Iowans, contracting with more than 650 farmers, and supporting hundreds of local businesses throughout the state.
