Mom’s Meals, an Iowa-based organization, donated 240 individually packaged shelf-friendly meals to the Iowa Homeless Youth Center in Des Moines. The center provides daily meals to homeless youth, and the donation will help support their services during the summer season when the number of people they serve increases.
Supporting the Community
Tracy Smith, vice president of marketing at Mom’s Meals, said the organization wants to support the community that has served them well. “Sometimes just having access to food can provide that stability, dignity, and just one less thing to worry about during difficult times,” Smith said. The Iowa Homeless Youth Centers serves youth ages 18-24, as well as youth ages 16-17 with some programs, and also serves families.
Austin Neal, the center’s community engagement coordinator, said the long-term goal is to end youth homelessness for good. He added that combating hunger sets a child up for success. “Without basic needs, what more can they do? Once we fill that basic need, we can dream with them a little bit,” Neal said. Mom’s Meals urges Iowans to spread the word to those in need about their organization, and Neal hopes to see more people volunteer at the youth center.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
