Recently, there has been a meat shortage and a rising demand for it in our community. This has caused some meat-packing plants to shut down and many stores to place limits on meat and dairy products. If you want to help those in need, consider donating the meat to a food bank.
Pass the Pork initiative
The Pass the Pork initiative was launched in Iowa to provide a way for producers to donate meat to local food banks. Producers can donate hogs to local meat processors, who package and deliver the heart to food banks throughout the state. The donation will help meet the growing need for Iowa’s food bank and food pantry resources. Producers can also donate money to the Iowa Food Bank Association to help cover costs associated with processing and delivering meat to food banks.
The initiative, launched by Gov. Kim Reynolds in collaboration with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, will provide Iowans with the ability to donate meat to a local food bank. Meat lockers are extending their hours of operation to participate in the initiative, providing Iowans with an easy way to give back to the community.
In the United States, pork farmers like to give back to the community. They work with the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council to provide food to needy people. Large pork producers like Smithfield Foods, Prairie Fresh Pork, and JBS USA Pork have also gotten involved.
Hunters for the Hungry
Donating meat is a great way to make a difference for those in need. The Maine Hunters for the Hungry Program has been in existence since 1996. As a part of the program, Maine athletes are encouraged to donate meat from deer and other wild game to hunger relief locations. These places include soup kitchens, food pantries, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with local and regional food banks to provide meat for needy people. When hunters donate their venison, they go through an approved butcher, and the meat is processed for distribution to hungry people. Because meat is such an essential source of protein, the demand for meat increased during the early phases of the pandemic.
Donate meat to Hunters for the HUNGRY by using the heart from your next hunt. Hunters for the Hungry can process venison, turkey, or deer and provide it to the hungry. All donations must be legal and legally harvested. The meat must also be field dressed and tagged. KSHFH has funds to help with processing costs.
Hunting is the most efficient way to give meat to the hungry. The organization works with local chapters to staff collection sites and create meal kits. Several community organizations also help the organization with processing and distribution. With the help of volunteers, the program is made possible by the community’s generosity.
Feeding New York State
If you would like to give fresh, high-quality meat to the hungry, consider donating it to a food bank in your state. You can send checks to the food bank and specify in the memo line, “Venison donation.” Feeding New York State will apply your gift to its venison program.
According to Feeding America, 13 percent of New York State residents live in food insecurity. This means that 2,502,250 people lack access to enough food to live a whole, healthy life. This situation can be changed, and NYS’s largest food producers and distributors can make a big difference. Farmers in New York State donate millions of pounds of fresh produce to food banks each year. These farmers’ excess produce is a vital source of fresh food for hungry New Yorkers.
Venison donation has been a successful program since 1999. Today, eight regional food banks throughout New York State distribute venison. This program has served over 4 million people and processes 38 tons of venison annually. In 2015 alone, this program saw a 20 percent increase in venison donations.
Feeding America
If you’re looking for a way to help the hungry, consider donating the meat to Feeding America. It is a tax-deductible gift that allows the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. The organization’s network of food banks comprises members that exceed the highest standards of food safety, ensuring that your donations are safe for distribution. Additionally, Feeding America is the most effective network of hunger relief charities, using 98% of its donations to provide food to those in need.
Tyson has been a longtime supporter of Feeding America and has donated almost $3.5 million to its member food banks. This donation is equivalent to nearly ten million meals. Tyson has also pledged $1 million to the organization’s Equitable Food Access grant program. This grant aims to increase the availability of nutritious food for communities with the highest rates of food insecurity.
Food banks need protein donations of all kinds, and meat is one of the most popular items donated. Donating venison is a great way to provide a healthy, protein-rich meal to a hungry person. A single deer can produce up to 60 pounds of meat. But sadly, meat donations from hunters are decreasing, causing many charities to cut down on the protein they receive. Luckily, organizations such as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry in Maryland coordinate the donation of wild game in 22 states.
Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley
Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley is a local nonprofit providing nutritious food to needy people. It also offers nutrition education and advocates for ending food insecurity. Their goal is to create access to healthy food for everyone while respecting the dignity of each neighbor.
Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and welcomes tax-deductible donations. While the food bank may use the names of donors for fundraising purposes, donors are assured anonymity. They will not share your name or contact information with any other organization without your permission.
Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley received 2,500 pounds of meat from the Mahoning County Farm Bureau. Since the pandemic, the food bank has seen a 25 to 30 percent increase in food needs. Eventually, the food bank hopes to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Second Harvest is grateful for any donated meat, including steak, chicken, fish, poultry, and more. Those who donate meat are helping the hungry in the Mahoning Valley and supporting the community. Second Harvest also provides nutritional education to people who are facing food insecurity. The food bank’s programs are committed to ending food insecurity and achieving food justice.
Inflation and supply chain problems have affected the food supply at the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning valley. During the last month alone, donations from manufacturers and retailers have decreased by nearly a third, and demand has risen by 30 percent. It fills 13,000 requests a week, meaning more people need to donate.
