An organization focused on expanding educational opportunities for low-income Des Moines students has partnered in a project to address another basic need — hunger. The Des Moines I Have a Dream Foundation has joined with the Outreach Program, the Des Moines Area Religious Council and restaurant owner Full Court Press Inc. in a pilot program providing 1,300 meal packs to students and families of Harding Middle School. The meals, which include a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner serving a family of five, were packed by employees of Full Court Press Inc. and volunteers of the partner organizations during a large packaging event at the Iowa Taproom on Monday. Every other week of the spring 2018 semester, 100 family meal packs will be distributed to Harding students with the greatest need. The DMARC Food Pantry Network will store and transport the meals to Harding Middle School throughout the 13-week program, and will provide additional snacks in the family packs as the effort gains steam. All of Harding’s nearly 800 students qualify for free breakfast and lunch through the National School Lunch Program. “We are excited to partner with local organizations who share our desire to help local families,” said Heather Isaacson, I Have a Dream’s program director. “We hope this program sets a precedent for other organizations who wish to alleviate food insecurity in our own community.” To read a Business Record story about the I Have a Dream Foundation, click here.