The Kosciusko County Community Foundation has awarded Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry $1,500 for its “Meat the Need” program.
These funds will be used to assist Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry in paying processing fees for approximately 1,200 pounds of donated meat in Kosciusko County, which will then be distributed to area hunger relief agencies – providing over 4,500 meals to residents in need, according to a press release from the organization.
Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry facilitates the donation and processing of large game and livestock through its Meat the Need program. Hunters and farmers wishing to donate may do so by contacting a participating meat processor in their area and taking the large game or livestock in for processing. There is no charge to donors.
The butcher will process, package and freeze the meat. Local hunger relief agencies will be contacted for pick up and distribution of this protein back into the community in which it was donated, where funding is available.
To date, there are 90 participating meat processors working in 85 counties in Indiana. Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry will be working with the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, numerous area pantries/soup kitchens and local meat processors, to ensure Kosciusko County residents and hunger relief agencies have access to this meat.
The goal is to provide nutritious meat to hunger relief agencies within Indiana building stronger, healthier communities by helping to meet the basic needs within each community, getting them back on track to hunger-free, independent living, according to the press release.
“We aim to improve the general health of individuals/families in need by helping to provide them with this nutritious source of protein for a healthier, more balanced diet – getting them back on track to hunger-free, independent living.
In the last five years, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has helped to distribute over 645,000 pounds of meat to Indiana food banks, providing almost 2.6 million meals to Hoosiers in need,” the release states.
For more information on the Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry program, its services and to find participating meat processors, or to find out how to help, visit www.HoosiersFeedingtheHungry.org.
