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Denison and Sac City to Host "Operation Christmas Meal" Events Providing Free Pork Loins to Families in Need
(Photo from Iowa Select Website)
As the holiday season approaches, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation is gearing up for its annual Operation Christmas Meal, a statewide initiative aimed at ensuring that every Iowan has access to a warm, hearty meal during the Christmas season. The program, which distributes 27,000 free pork loins across 24 locations in Iowa, is a chance for families to receive a special gift of food, particularly those who may be facing financial difficulties during the holidays.
This year, both Denison and Sac City will be among the communities hosting these events, offering local residents a chance to pick up a free pork loin to help with their holiday meals.
Denison's Event: December 11, 2024
Denison, located in Crawford County, will hold its Operation Christmas Meal event at the Crawford County Fairgrounds (800 Highway 39) on Wednesday, December 11, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The fairgrounds will be buzzing with volunteers as hundreds of Iowa Select Farms employees join forces to hand out pork loins to families in need. The event is designed to be a quick, drive-thru distribution, with recipients receiving the meat through their car windows—making the process as easy and convenient as possible.
Sac City's Event: December 11, 2024
Just a few hours earlier, Sac City, in Sac County, will host its own pork loin giveaway at the Sac County Fairgrounds (416 Park Ave) on Wednesday, December 11, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Like Denison, volunteers from Iowa Select Farms will be on hand to distribute the pork loins, helping to spread the spirit of Christmas by providing families with a meal they may not have otherwise been able to afford. The event is open to all families in the community, regardless of need, and organizers encourage those who can to pick up extra loins for friends, neighbors, or others who might be struggling.
A Community Effort
The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation believes that everyone deserves a good meal, especially at Christmastime. The pork loin giveaways are part of a larger statewide effort, with events taking place in various communities across Iowa, from Des Moines to Sioux Rapids. Last year, the initiative saw Iowa Select Farms employees volunteering their time to hand out loins, often seeing firsthand the difference the program makes in the lives of their fellow Iowans.
One of the unique aspects of the Operation Christmas Meal program is its community-driven nature. Volunteers encourage families who don’t need the meal themselves to pick up a pork loin and deliver it to someone in need—whether it’s a struggling single parent, an elderly neighbor, or a family who could use a little extra help during the holidays.
“This is about bringing people together and helping one another out,” said a representative of the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation. “It’s the spirit of giving that makes Christmas so special.”
How to Participate
The pork loin giveaways are open to all residents, and there are no pre-registration or qualification requirements. Simply show up at the designated time and location to receive your free pork loin. Volunteers will be on hand to ensure a smooth and efficient process, with many families picking up their pork loins as a convenient, drive-thru experience.
If you are unable to make it to Denison or Sac City, other nearby events will be taking place at various locations across Iowa in the coming weeks, including cities such as Fort Dodge, Afton, and Osceola.
The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation continues to provide this valuable community service in the spirit of the holiday season, ensuring that no one has to face Christmas without a warm, festive meal to enjoy.
For more information on the full list of Operation Christmas Meal events across Iowa, or to volunteer at one of the upcoming giveaways, visit the foundation’s website or contact your local event coordinator.
Event Details for Denison and Sac City:
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Sac City:
When: Wednesday, December 11, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Where: Sac County Fairgrounds, 416 Park Ave, Sac City, IA -
Denison:
When: Wednesday, December 11, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Where: Crawford County Fairgrounds, 800 Highway 39, Denison, IA
Let’s all come together this holiday season and help make Christmas a little brighter for our neighbors in need.
