Hansen Foundation Donates STEM Carts to Libraries Across Iowa

Contact:
Jen Sorenson
Communications Director, Iowa Select Farms
jsorenson@iowaselect.com
641-373-4534

Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation Donates STEM Carts to Libraries Across Iowa

Kits make science, technology, engineering and math fun, relevant for children

WEST DES MOINES, IA (August 9, 2023) – Children in 47 communities across Iowa will now be able to further develop their skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) thanks to a donation from the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation.

As part of its Henry’s Heroes Program, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation recently delivered 50 STEM carts to 50 public libraries across Iowa. Iowa Select Farms employees nominated their hometown libraries to receive the carts to empower kids to be future innovators, creators and leaders.

STEM carts include a variety of STEM toys and kits that encourage organic and structured play grounded in science, technology, engineering and math concepts. For older kids, STEM pairs academic concepts with real-world applications to make connections between school and careers.

“Our public libraries are a beacon for children across the state, particularly in rural communities,” said Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms. “We are thankful to be able to impact children’s learning across Iowa, especially as libraries work so hard to maintain programming while being underfunded.”

The 543 public libraries across Iowa serve as free, trusted and welcoming gathering places that support children, families and communities. Iowa consistently ranks in the top five states for its number of public libraries.

“We are a small community, but our summer reading program is always well-attended,” said Joy Metzger, director of children’s programs at the Whittemore Public Library. “We offer programming for kids all year round, and promoting STEM is something we are deeply committed to.”

Find the full list of libraries that received STEM carts:

Aalfs Downtown Library, Sioux City
Ackley Public Library, Ackley
Adel Public Library, Adel
Alden Public Library, Alden
Algona Public Library, Algona
Allison Public Library, Allison
Aplington Legion Memorial Library, Aplington
Barlow Library, Iowa Falls
Chariton City Library, Chariton
Clarion Public Library, Clarion
Colo Public Library, Colo
Coulter Public Library, Coulter
Dayton Public Library, Dayton
Eagle Grove Memorial Library, Eagle Grove
Early Public Library, Early
Eldora Public Library, Eldora
Ellsworth Public Library, Ellsworth
Elma Public Library (Elma Bibliotheca), Elma
Gibson Memorial Library, Gibson
Gilmore City Public Library, Gilmore City
Grand Junction Public Library, Grand Junction
Gutekunst Public Library, State Center
Hampton Public Library, Hampton
Hudson Public Library, Hudson
Humeston Public Library, Humeston
J.J. Hands Public Library, Lohrville
Kanawha Public Library, Kanawha
Karl Miles LeCompte Memorial, Corydon
Kendall Young Library, Webster City
Kling Memorial Library, Grundy Center
Kothe Memorial Library, Parkersburg
Mount Ayr Public Library, Mount Ayr
Murray Public Library, Murray
Newell Library, Newell
Orient Public Library, Orient
Osage Public Library, Osage
Osceola Public Library, Osceola
Rembrandt Public Library, Rembrandt
Riceville Public Library, Riceville
Rockford Public Library, Rockford
Rockwell City Public Library, Rockwell City
Schleswig Public Library, Schleswig
Stacyville Public Library, Stacyville
Stubbs Memorial Library, Holstein
Talbot Belmond Public Library, Belmond
Whittemore Iowa Public Library, Whittemore
Williams Public Library, Williams

About Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation
Founded in 2006, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation carries out programs across Iowa focused on providing hunger relief, showing gratitude to the armed services and supporting families impacted by childhood cancer. Jeff and Deb Hansen are the founders and owners of Iowa Select Farms, a family-owned, Iowa-based pork production company with 1,850 employees and contractors across rural Iowa. For more information, visit www.iowaselect.com/foundation.

About Henry’s Heroes
Henry’s Heroes is all about helping the littlest of Iowans. This Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation program was inspired by Henry Johnson, Jeff and Deb Hansen’s grandchild and the son of Natalie and Jake Johnson. Each year on Henry’s birthday, Natalie selects a new project to support children and children’s resource efforts in our Homegrown Iowa communities. For more information, visit www.iowaselect.com/foundation/henrys-heroes.

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Employees of Iowa Select Farms nominated their hometown libraries for a Henry’s Heroes STEM Cart, provided by the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation. STEM carts include a variety of STEM toys and kits that encourage organic and structured play grounded in science, technology, engineering and math concepts.