Iowa Pork Producers Mark 10th Year Providing Meals on Giving Tuesday
November 12, 2026
For the 10th consecutive year, the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) will spend Giving Tuesday at Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS), serving breakfast and sharing fellowship with Iowans experiencing homelessness.
On Tuesday, December 1, IPPA will join Fareway Stores volunteers and community leaders to prepare and serve a hearty breakfast, continuing a tradition rooted in nourishment, kindness and connection. This year’s effort will also expand beyond Des Moines to serve Iowans experiencing homelessness in Ottumwa, Grinnell and Ames.
The Des Moines event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. at CISS, 1420 Mulberry Street. Fareway will supply and cook more than 100 pounds of bacon, 50 pounds of sausage patties and other breakfast favorites. Iowa pork producers will help serve guests and provide care bags filled with stocking hats, hand warmers, lip balm and pork sticks.
For Iowa’s pork producers, the annual event puts their We Care commitment to caring for communities into action, offering warmth, comfort and nourishment beyond the breakfast table.
“Everybody has problems, some bigger than others, but this is just one great way for us to be able to give back to the community and show that we do care,” said Doug Gruver, an IPPA board member and pig farmer from Sully.
The Giving Tuesday tradition began with a simple observation by CISS staff: A hearty bacon breakfast seemed to help guests start their day on a better note. That experience inspired an annual gathering that brings community members together to share food and support shelter guests.
“At Fareway, we believe everyone deserves a warm meal, a welcoming smile, and the dignity that comes with knowing they matter. Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for our employees to serve alongside our community partners at Central Iowa Shelter & Services and the Iowa Pork Producers to share a meal with residents who call the shelter home. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back in a meaningful way and support the important work CISS does every day to provide hope, stability, and care for those who need it most,” said Reynolds W. Cramer, CEO of Fareway Stores, Inc.
As IPPA marks a decade of participation, the event remains a reminder that giving back can be as personal as preparing a meal, welcoming a guest or taking time to listen.
“Giving Tuesday often focuses on financial gifts, and this partnership reminds us that generosity takes many forms. By providing a warm breakfast and taking time to share in community, Iowa Pork and Fareway are helping ensure our clients experience dignity, connection, and the comfort of a meal shared with others. It's a meaningful way to celebrate the spirit of giving,” said Melissa O’Neil of CISS.
Community leaders and volunteers are invited to help with breakfast preparation, serving guests or cleanup. Whether participating for 20 minutes or an hour, volunteers can contribute to a tradition that has brought Iowa’s pork producers and their neighbors together to help Iowans in need for 10 consecutive years.
A video from last year's event is available for your use at this link.