Funding released for 5-2-1-0 in Hampton

HAMPTON – Funding for Hampton’s 5-2-1-0 program was recently allocated from the North Iowa Area Council of Governments (NIACOG) to help promote healthy lifestyles in the community.

A total of $25,000 was distributed among 16 different programs throughout Hampton in order to get children and adults into a more active role.

The program 5-2-1-0 stands for five servings of fruits and veggies, two hours less screen time, one hour of exercise and zero sugary drinks.

“Anyone and everyone who was interested in healthy choices (were selected),” said Matt O’Brien, regional planner with NIACOG who works with communities involved in 5-2-1-0 funding. “All the school programs, along with Michelle Sackville in the (ISU) Extension office. People we knew who would be nationally involved. 

“(We) get this money from the state to get the message out there, projects to involve in physical fitness, healthy eating and more drinking of water.”

The largest allocation from this money ($8,000) went to the Hampton-Dumont-CAL school district (K-12) to partner with 5-2-1-0 for proposed activity stations around the prairie grass habitat and future trail development off of the Rolling Prairie trail and close proximity to the middle school. The stations may be used by any residents of the community free of charge.

Among the smallest allocation was for out-of-school programming of $200 to distribute fruit and veggie tracking bracelets at a Family Fun Night held on Feb. 28.

According to O’Brien, some of the money has already been used, but with the circumstances surrounding everyone at the moment, some programs have not.

“The money was allocated in January, so people are still trying to get their projects off the ground,” O’Brien said. “They have the plans ready, but haven’t been able to get their projects going yet. Because of circumstances, things have slowed down a little bit.”

Already purchased by the Wellness Center, according to Bulldog head coach Jim Davies, is its allocation of $1,000 for tennis equipment (racquets) in order to start a tennis camp this summer for the community.

Another intriguing allocation is to the ISU Extension office of $3,400 to fund two AmeriCorps members in a local match to run after school and summer gardening programs.

Other programs funded include La Luz Hispana and Food Pantry, the City of Hampton, YFC, Hampton Preschool, Christian Daycare and in-home providers, the Franklin County extension, Kiwanis/Rotary, youth programs and Franklin County Conservation.

There is a possibility that with the allocated funds, some will be left over for purchasing soccer equipment, increasing veggie/fruit tracking bracelet supplies or increasing allocations on other projects in the 5-2-1-0 program and based on the Iowa Department of Health’s approval. O’Brien expects that there usually are funds left over for those projects.

“There are a lot of city projects that we want to get them up and running,” O’Brien said. “They would fall under the city’s authority. Usually there is money remaining to work on projects. It’s more about getting the city involved.”

Future funding is also a possibility for Hampton.

“Theoretically, there will be more funds, but it decreases,” O’Brien said. “We’re hoping for additional funding for the next two fiscal years.”