Funds applied to “Meat” the Need program to pay meat processing fees on donated large game/livestock
Crown Point Community Foundation recently awarded Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry a grant to be used to serve Lake County residents. These funds will help Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry pay processing fees for large game and livestock donations within Lake County.
Founded in 2011, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry asks area hunters and farmers to take their large game or livestock to a participating meat processor where the donation is processed, packaged and frozen (at no cost to the donor). Local hunger-relief agencies are contacted for pick up and distribution of this nutritious protein back into the community. Many hardworking Hoosiers are still living paycheck to paycheck, regularly having to choose between paying bills or buying food. The latest Feeding America Map the Meal Gap Report states that 31 percent of residents who are food insecure can’t qualify for assistance. Those affected by food insecurity are often at high-risk for obesity and diet-related diseases due to the lack of quality in the foods that they can afford.
“Protein, an important component of every cell in the body and one of the most important nutrients for brain and body development in children, is also the hardest commodity for food banks to obtain. Food insecurity can lead to loss of muscle mass and bone frailty, decreased immune system, babies with lower birth weights and with delayed development or in the early stages of life, and lower academic performance among children – as the lack of healthy food results in people receiving fewer nutrients,” said Debra Treesh, Executive Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.
More than 300,000 Indiana children have no idea where their next meal is coming from…
“The grant provided by the Community Foundation will pay to process about 1,900 pounds of donated large game and livestock – providing 7,600 meals through area hunger-relief agencies to residents in need within our communities,” said Treesh. In the last eight years, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has helped to distribute approximately 1.3 million pounds of meat to Indiana food banks, providing over 5.3 million meals to Hoosiers in need. “To date, we have 87 participating meat processors working throughout Indiana to aid us in our mission and to ensure residents in need are served,” shared Amber Zecca, Fund Development Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry. “For Lake County, we are partnering with Butcher Block, Monon Meat Packing, Brooks Locker Plant, and Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, to ensure residents have access to this nutritious protein. Over the last year, this program has given over 8,600 pounds of meat within Lake County – providing 34,500 meals.”
On average, the cost of this donated meat is about $1.30 per pound, which is less than $.30 per meal.
Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry is accepting donations to fund the “Meat” the Need program throughout Indiana and is continuously looking for volunteers to help in efforts to feed the hungry and reduce hunger issues throughout Indiana. For more information on the Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry program, its services and to find participating meat processors in your area, or to find out how you can help, visit www.HoosiersFeedingtheHungry.org.
