It's a growing problem faced by food pantries and food banks throughout Michiana … the shortage of fresh meat. A program unveiled Thursday, involving a major financial donation, nonprofit group and an Osceola meat market, will help turn that situation around.
The major financial donation, $50,000 from Walmart went to the nonprofit group “Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.”
The group will use the donation to pay butcher and packaging costs for wild game and livestock donated to feed the hungry. In Osceola, DC Meats is the butcher/packaging site.
“I get calls daily from all the food banks and food pantries locally. It is needed, it is needed so bad. They need meat more than anything in the world,” said Deb Treeseh, of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.
Hunters and Farmers
- Donate large game, cattle, poultry and hogs. There are no charges or fees to the donor.
- Take livestock or wild game to DC Meats, 1711 Lincoln Way West, Osceola. Butchers there will cut and package the meat into family size packages for distribution through area food banks.
- Claim tax deduction equal to meat’s market value.
- Know "Meat-to-Meal" ratios (average-size animal): Pig = 400; Cow = 2,000; Deer = 200
CLICK HERE to reach Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry website
Church Community Services in Elkhart, like many social service agencies, have seen a huge jump in the number of clients it serves through its food pantry. One item, now and often in short supply, is meat.
“It’s unfortunate, but protein becomes the most difficult item to keep on our shelves,” said Rod Roberson of Church Community Services.
