Illinois Pork Producers Donate 500 Hams to Central Illinois Foodbank
To kick off the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) “Give-a-Ham” challenge this year, Alan Kollmann, IPPA board president, presented 500 hams to the Central Illinois Foodbank on behalf of Illinois pig farmers and the Pork Checkoff.
“Giving a ham is a symbol of generosity and compassion, which is especially valuable during the holiday season,” Kollmann said in a release. “As pig farmers, we always have the end user in mind when raising our animals and creating quality pork products. We enjoy sharing those products whenever we can to get extra protein to those in need.”
Illinois Director of Agriculture, Jerry Costello II, was present at the donation event to support the pork industry’s commitment in giving back to their communities. He also encouraged his fellow colleagues to participate in Give-A-Ham this year. Costello extended the challenge to Missouri Director of Agriculture, Chris Chinn. She is invited to purchase a ham product of her choice and donate it to an organization of her choice.
“We are very thankful for the continued support of the Illinois Pork Producers Association in helping us provide for our neighbors in central and southern Illinois,” Pam Molitoris, Executive Director of Central Illinois Foodbank, said in a release. “Hunger is with us 365 days a year, and generous donations such as this help us ensure that no one will go without nutritious food this holiday season.”
Minnesota Pig Farmers Donate 6,000 Pounds of Ground Pork to Second Harvest Heartland
The Minnesota Pork Board (MPB) donated 6,000 pounds of ground pork to Second Harvest Heartland, the Upper Midwest’s largest hunger relief organization. Minnesota pig farmers are committed to providing safe and nutritious pork for everyone. The two Minnesota-based organizations have worked together to provide hunger relief for more than 10 years.
“We’re incredibly grateful for this partnership with the Minnesota Pork Board as it allows us to continually distribute nutritious, fresh protein,” Allison O’Toole, Second Harvest Heartland CEO, said in a release.
The pork donation stems from MPB’s Oink Outing events that took place at community events around the Twin Cities throughout the summer. For every question a consumer asked at an Oink Outing event regarding pigs, pig farming, or pork, a pound of ground pork was donated.
Indiana Pork Donates 600 Pounds of Pork to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana received a ground pork donation from Indiana pig farmers just in time for the holidays.
“Indiana Pork was excited to donate over 600 pounds of ground pork, or over 2,400 servings, to Gleaners during one of their daily food pantry shopping days,” Jeanette Merritt, Director of Communications for Indiana Pork, said in a release. “There is tremendous need as we enter the holiday season as some Hoosiers struggle to feed their families. Our 3,000 pig farmers believe it’s truly our responsibility to help feed our neighbors whenever we can.”
Barbara Himsel, a Hendricks County pork producer and Co-Alliance contract grower, helped pass out the ground pork to Gleaners guests.
“I wanted to help share the ground pork because it’s what farmers should be doing,” Himsel said in a release. “It’s important we give back to our communities and help wherever we can to make sure our neighbors have access to safe, nutritious pork for their families.”
The Gleaners Food Bank donation is part Indiana Pork’s year-round effort to support Indiana food banks and charitable organizations. A portion of Indiana Pork’s other donations include Wheeler Mission, the Ronald McDonald House, and food pantries in Cass and Wabash County.
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