Here’s how three state pork associations are giving back to their communities.
Oklahoma Pig Farmers #GiveAHam
Oklahoma Pork Council’s Give-A-Ham challenge launched on Nov. 30 with a 10,000-pound pork product donation from Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors President Joe Popplewell and his company, Seaboard Foods, to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.
“With farms and a pork processing plant in the Oklahoma Panhandle, we have the opportunity to give back to our communities throughout the great state of Oklahoma,” Peter Brown, Seaboard Foods president and CEO, said in a release. “We’re honored in joining the Oklahoma Pork Council in the Give-A-Ham campaign for the holiday season by donating our Prairie Fresh pork products to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. We’re hopeful this delicious pork will bring nourishment, comfort and fellowship to those who need it most this holiday season.”
Last year, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma in Tulsa distributed more than 32 million pounds of food throughout 24 counties.
Popplewell said giving back is a cornerstone of what Oklahoma pig farmers do. They find ways to give back to communities with food, time, donations, and more year-round. The holiday season is no different.
“Hunger is a reality one in six Oklahomans face every day,” Popplewell said. “That’s why Seaboard Foods is honored to launch the Oklahoma Pork Council’s 2021 Give-A-Ham challenge in a big way.”
All twelve Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors will donate hams to their local communities and keep the generosity going by tapping friends and colleagues to accept the challenge.
In addition to Seaboard Foods’ product donation, Popplewell also challenged Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to participate in the Give-A-Ham challenge, which will continue from today until Dec. 23.
Des Moines-Area Leaders Lend A Ham
A giant grocery list and dozens of Des Moines-area leaders were part of the fifth annual “Lend A Ham” event that took place at Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) in Des Moines on Nov. 30.
Representatives from Fareway Stores, Iowa Pork Producers Association, elected officials and other leaders served 350 meals, which included pork biscuit sandwiches, fresh fruit, milk, orange juice, hot chocolate and coffee, to vulnerable members of the community.
“This is the fifth year Fareway and Iowa Pork Producers Association have generously supported the CISS community in this way,” Melissa O’Neil, Central Iowa Shelter & Services CEO, said in a release. “Although the past couple of years have been challenging, these organizations have always found a way to deliver their special ‘bacon aromatherapy’ to those we serve.”
Besides feeding the most vulnerable in the community, the Lend A Ham event provides an opportunity for elected officials and community leaders to engage with CISS clients, share ideas and better understand how CISS makes a difference in their lives.
“We all continue to be challenged by changes caused by Covid-19, but all Iowans should know that farmers are still producing plentiful and safe food,” said Kevin Rasmussen, a pig farmer from Goldfield, Iowa. “In the past 18 months, Iowa pig farmers have donated more than 850,000 pork meals to Iowans in need, and we aren’t slowing down.”
Illinois Pork Producers Donate 500 Hams to Central Illinois Foodbank
As part of the Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign, the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA), along with the Illinois Soybean Association and the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, presented the Midwest Food Bank with 5,280 pounds of ground pork. The donation will go to agencies across central Illinois this holiday season.
“Illinois pig farmers are pleased to provide quality protein to those in need, especially during the holidays”, IPPA Board Member, Pam Janssen, said in a release. “Pork is a versatile protein, and ground pork is easy to use in so many meals.”
Since its inception in 2008, the Pork Power program has generated over 922,000 pounds of pork - enough for over 3 million meals – for families throughout Illinois.
This program helps offset the cost of processing for farmers to donate hogs, a release said. With the addition of monetary donations from annual t-shirt sales and fellow commodity organizations, all extra funds are turned into ground pork near the end of each calendar year and split amongst the nine regional food banks in Illinois.
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