Fort Wayne & NE Indiana News

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Hoosiers Feeding The Hungry Is Funded In Part By A Grant From The Waterfield Foundation Grant

The Waterfield Foundation has awarded the Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry’s “Meat” the Need program a grant in the amount of $1,000.00. These funds will be used to assist Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry in paying processing fees for donated large game and livestock. Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry encourages the donation of large game and livestock to their “Meat” the Need program. Hunters and farmers may donate, at no cost to them, by taking large game or livestock to a participating meat processor in their area. The donation will be processed, packaged, and frozen. Local hunger relief agencies will be contacted for pick up and distribution of this nutritious protein back into the community in which it was donated.

“The funds provided by this store will pay for approximately 770 pounds of donated large game and livestock in Fort Wayne and Allen County, which will then be distributed to area hunger relief agencies – providing over 3,000 meals to those in need within this community.” Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry’s Executive Director, Deb Treesh said. Approximately 1 out of every 4 households within Indiana (that have children) report an inability to be able to afford enough food to feed their family and over 30% of Hoosiers regularly have to choose between paying bills or buying food. Those affected by food insecurity are often at high-risk for obesity and diet-related diseases due to the lack of quality in the foods that they can afford. Protein, one of the most important nutrients for brain and body development in children and young adults, is also the hardest commodity for food banks to obtain. According to a US Census report, the population of Indiana is approximately 6,633,050 (23.9% of which are under the age of 18) with 14.5% of the population living below the poverty level – that is over 961,793 residents in need of food additional services.

“To date, we have 87 participating meat processors working within 85 counties in Indiana to ensure residents in need are served.” Amber Zecca, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry Fund Development Director shared. “We will be working with Community Harvest Food Bank, Custom Quality Meats North, E&L Farm and Processing, Feders Meats, Jamison Meats, Lengacher Meat, Messmann Meats, and New Haven Custom Meats to ensure residents in Fort Wayne and Allen County have access to this nutritious protein.

Through this effort, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry is able to provide nutritious meat to hunger relief agencies within Indiana building stronger, healthier communities by helping to meet the basic needs within each community, getting them back on track to hunger-free, independent living. Their aim is to also improve the general health of individuals/families in need by helping to provide them with this nutritious source of protein for a healthier, more balanced diet –getting them back on track to hunger-free, independent living. In the last six years, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has helped to distribute almost 838,500 pounds of meat to Indiana food banks, providing over 3 million meals to Hoosiers in need.