As part of the Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign, the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has donated 1 million pounds of pork to food banks since 2008.
Pork Power reached its goal of donating 1 million pounds of pork - over 3.3 million servings - to food insecure families throughout Illinois on Dec. 13. Farmers and partnering commodity groups have worked together to donate to the program year-round in order to help feed those in need, IPPA said in a release.
“When the Pork Power Program was started in 2008, it was by a handful of producers who donated a few hogs here and there,” says Thomas Titus, IPPA president. “I can’t imagine that anyone could have imagined how wildly successful it would become! We are grateful for our partnerships with all of the associations involved in the Pork Power Program; we reached this goal largely because of their generosity.”
IPPA turns remaining funds into ground pork and divides it among the regional food banks in the state at the end of each year.
“Pork Power is an important project that allows farmers in Illinois to help hungry families get the protein they need,” Jim Reed, IL Corn Chairman and farmer from DeLand, said in a release. “The food banks we serve are thrilled to receive our protein donation and IL Corn and the corn farmers we serve are simply proud to be a part of such an important mission. This program is a great opportunity to give back to local communities, work together, and eat more pork.”
The Dec. 13 donation of pork was provided to the Central Illinois Food Bank, is a regional distribution point for donated food. Donations are distributed through their 160 partner agencies across 21 counties in central and southern Illinois.
“Illinois Soybean Association is proud to continue to support Illinois Pork, their producers, and the Pork Power program, " Brock Willard, Illinios Soybean Market Development Committee member and District 12 Director, said in a release. “Our industries rely on one another, and the world relies on us. We are proud to continue to feed hungry Illinois residents together, and are thrilled to celebrate the one millionth pound donation.”
