Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County awards $10,000 to Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry

Funds applied to “Meat” the Need program to pay meat processing fees on donated large game/livestock

 The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County recently awarded Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry $10,000 to be used to serve Jefferson County residents.

There are many Hoosiers out there who are working, trying to pay their bills, and still can’t afford to put enough food on the table to feed their families. According to the latest Feeding America Map the Meal Gap report, Indiana has 887,070 people struggling with hunger - 273,380 of which are children and a third of Indiana residents who are food insecure still don’t qualify for assistance. 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, especially with protein deficiency, can lead to loss of muscle mass and bone frailty, decreased immune system, babies with lower birth weights, and damage to a child’s ability to learn and grow - as the lack of healthy food results in people receiving fewer nutrients. Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry encourages hunters, farmers, and 4-H bidders to donate large game and livestock to our “Meat” the Need program through local, participating meat processors, and raises financial support to pay processing fees on these donations.  The donation is processed, packaged and local hunger relief agencies are contacted for pick up. There is NO cost to donors.

“The $10,000 in funds will pay to process about 8,600 pounds of donated large game and livestock – providing almost 35,000 more meals through area hunger-relief agencies to residents in need within their community,” said Treesh. “Partnering with 82 meat processors statewide, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry gives approximately 575,000 pounds of meat annually to an average of 450 hunger relief agencies throughout Indiana,” shared Amber Zecca, Fund Development Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry. “Processors who work hard for Jefferson County AND do all the processing at a reduced rate so that we are able to make grants like this go so much further include – Pate’s Processing Plant, Wayne’s Meats, and Westport Locker! This nutritious protein has been given to and distributed by Jefferson County House of Hope and Gleaners at Southwestern High School.”

“Our goal is to provide this protein-packed meat to hunger-relief agencies within Indiana to assist those in need of additional food services. Getting groceries at local food banks and pantries guarantees healthy meals for families when they need extra help. This program works to ensure that these agencies have meat, allowing them to provide fresh nutritious protein for hungry local families. This effort will help build stronger, healthier communities by meeting a basic need - reducing food insecurity and empowering people by getting them back on track to hunger-free, independent living.” said Debra Treesh, Executive Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.

“Our county has seen an increase in livestock donations from the local 4-H Livestock Auction, jumping from 44 in 2018 to 90 this year,” said Bill Barnes, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County.  “Our Grants Committee is happy to award this $10,000 grant to recognize the important role Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry plays in responding to this increase and in partnering with our local food pantries.”

On average, the cost of this donated meat is about $1.16 per pound, which is only $.29 per meal!