The U.S. Senate has passed a five-year, half-trillion-dollar farm bill. The plan cuts farm subsidies and protects food stamp beneficiaries. To save money, the bill eliminates direct payments to farmers. The majority of Senators from Siouxland say they are pleased with the bill. It still needs to pass the House before the current Farm Bill expires in September.
To help boost business in Le Mars, Iowa people made a mad dash Thursday night. The community held it's first ever Main Street Cash Mob. The idea was to keep the money in town by having each person participating spend at least 20-dollars in a store chosen through a random drawing. Thursday evening's store was Rust's Western Shed, which has been in downtown Le Mars for nearly 40 years. 60 people flocked there and laid down their cash.
Local officials say there's no reason for any child in Sioux City to go hungry this summer. The USDA-sponsored Summer Food Service Feeding program provides free meals for kids ages 2 to 18 through August 3rd. There are 14 lunch sites across Sioux City, including Whittier Elementary School. Officials fear that not enough people know about the program and they're trying to get the word out. Adults can also pay $3.70 to eat.
The United Way is providing fun, safe activities for kids to hop into during the hot months. 1,200 children and more than 200 volunteers packed Cook Park for the occasion. It's part of the 125th anniversary of the United Way movement, promoting communities coming together and making a difference.
