Osmundson Manufacturing Co. has contributed to two local programs, in partnership with the Food Bank of Iowa, that help to fight food insecurity in Perry: the School Food Pantry Program and the BackPack Program.
Osmundson’s financial backing helps to stock the School Food Pantry Program in both the Perry Community School District and the Greene County Community School District, which have a combined enrollment of some 3,000 students. The BackPack Program is unique to the Perry Elementary School, feeding elementary students on weekends when they lack access to school-provided breakfast and lunch.
“We are very grateful to partner with the Food Bank of Iowa and help contribute to the fight against food insecurity in our communities,” said Osmundson Manufacturing Co. CEO Heather Bruce. “The School Food Pantry Program and BackPack Program, as well as the Perry and Jefferson communities, are close to our company’s heart — and it is our honor to play a role in helping feed the children and families who benefit from these programs.”
Osmundson’s has committed to three years of financial sponsorship of the School Food Pantry Program. The BackPack Program is now in its fifth year of company funding. Funding totals for the two projects is $17,500 a year.
The School Food Pantry Programs will be hosted at Perry High School and Jefferson High School. Staff members from these schools help run their respective pantries, so students’ needs can be anticipated by those who know them.
The School Pantry Program focuses on providing food that is both free of charge and wholesome. There are more than 148 school pantries in 43 counties throughout Iowa that are specifically coordinated by the Food Bank of Iowa — the nonprofit organization provides the food, equipment, structure and oversight for the program.
The Perry Elementary School’s BackPack Program provides at-need students with a backpack filled with nutritious, kid-friendly food every Friday to bring home for the weekend. This program is free to schools — and school staff members and teachers discretely hand out the backpacks.
Thousands of backpacks are provided to partner schools every week, with the goal of students being able to return to school better equipped to learn on Monday mornings. To make a donation or for more information, visit the Food Bank of Iowa website.
