Here’s a look at how state pork associations are helping fight hunger across the country.
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director, Jerry Costello; IPPA President, Thomas Titus; and Lt. Col. Michael Legler encourage you to give a ham this holiday season.
Illinois Pork Producers Participate in the 2022 Give-A-Ham Challenge
Since its inception in 2017, the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has been participating in the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) #GiveaHam challenge, an annual social media campaign that encourages people across the country to donate pork to organizations serving the food insecure.
This year, in conjunction with The National Day of Giving, the IPPA is taking part in the #GiveaHam challenge by celebrating “Hams for Heroes”, an original campaign created by the IPPA to supply military families in need with holiday hams.
IPPA President, Thomas Titus of Elkhart, Ill., attended the event and presented 180 half boneless hams to Lt. Col. Michael Legler of the IL Army & Reserve Air National Guard based out of Springfield. Legler will arrange for 13 military family readiness specialists in Illinois to coordinate the delivery of the donated hams to military families across our state. Group locations for the military readiness group include 1 in Machesney Park, near Rockford; 4 in the Chicago area, and 1 in Marseilles. The other 8 stretch from Milan to Marion.
“Many pig farmers have loved ones who currently serve or have served our country,” IPPA President Thomas Titus said in a release. “These hams are just a small token of the Illinois Pork Producers Association’s appreciation to the men and women who serve in the military. Personally, my grandfather, my uncle, and my brother have all served, and it it makes me proud to be a part of today’s event.”
Once the “Hams for Heroes” donation commenced, Titus challenged the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), Jerry Costello, to continue the cycle of giving by donating hams to a donee of the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s s choice. Costello then challenged Commissioner Tom Peterson of the State of Minnesota to Give-A-Ham to a donee of his choice.
Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors President Angie Johnson made a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Pig Farmers #GiveAHam
On Nov. 29, Giving Tuesday, Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors President Angie Johnson launched the 2022 Give-A-Ham challenge with a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City (RMHC-OKC). Her donation included more than 950 pounds of pork product, 200 pounds of shelf-stable food items and $1,000 for future pork purchases. This donation was made possible by the partnership of Tyson Foods, The Pork Group, Ben E. Keith Foods and the Oklahoma Pork Council.
“Oklahoma pig farmers care for their local communities,” Johnson said in a release. “As an Oklahoma pig farmer, I take pride in raising pigs and providing Oklahomans in need with nutritious pork. I am honored to be a part of this special donation.”
RMHC-OKC provides a comfortable place to stay for families of seriously ill or injured children who are receiving inpatient care from the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. In 2021, they served 804 families representing 70 of the 77 Oklahoma counties.
“We are simply astonished by the generosity of Tyson Foods, The Pork Group, Ben E. Keith Foods and the Oklahoma Pork Council”, said Judy Reyes-Henderson, executive director of development for RMHC-OKC. “We received more than 950 pounds of pork and other food products, which is enough to feed more than 2,850 guests at our Ronald McDonald House. Our goal is to provide the families who stay with us one hot meal each day--one less thing they will have to think about while they are caring for their critically ill child. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
In addition to the donation, Johnson also challenged Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to participate in the Give-A-Ham challenge, which will continue from today until Christmas Eve. All 11 Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors will donate pork to their local communities and keep the generosity going by tapping friends and colleagues to accept the challenge.
Kevin Rasmussen, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, helped deliver hearty pork breakfast meals to clients at Central Iowa Shelter & Services.
Iowa Groups Come Together for ‘Lend A Ham’ Event
For the sixth year, Iowa pork producers and Fareway joined together to prepare and deliver hearty breakfast meals to adults experiencing homelessness in the Des Moines area. The effort, called Lend a Ham, takes place on Giving Tuesday each year, and serves clients of Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) in Des Moines, the Iowa Pork Producers Association said in a release.
As Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig described it: “It’s a partnership of farmers and a great Iowa company that is providing meals to more than 300 Iowans, and that’s amazing.”
“Giving to our communities is one of our passions,” said Iowa pig farmer Kevin Rasmussen of Goldfield. Rasmussen is president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
“The shelter is doing amazing things for its clients by working with the community to engage so many to volunteer and help out,” said Jeff Cook, vice president of market operations at Fareway. “At Fareway, we’re proud to be a part of the initiative and annual tradition on Giving Tuesday.”
Not new as volunteers in helping to serve the meals were Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Secretary of Agriculture Naig, the release said. Both have attended past Lend a Ham events, helping to serve CISS clients.
The food donations for the event come through Fareway and many of their suppliers. Even though you may have prepared hearty meals for family and friends through the holidays, those donations included 100 lbs. of bacon, 50 lbs. of sausage patties, 120 lbs. of eggs, 48 packages of hashbrowns, 85 loaves of cinnamon raisin bread, 240 lbs. of oranges, 200 lbs. of apples, 12 cans of coffee, more than 750 packets of hot cocoa, 500 individual servings of orange juice, 500 individual servings of milk, and more than 500 bottled waters.
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
When the Reality of the Hunger Problem Hits Close to Home
Pork News: State Association Food Bank Donations, NPPC’s New Hire
