Celebrating six years of ‘Meating the Need’ in Hamilton County

These 16 Hamilton County 4-H’ers will donate their animals to Meating the Need this year. (Photo illustration provided)

Meating the Need, a joint project between Hamilton County 4-H Beef, Dairy, and Swine Projects and Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank, will provide over 4,000 pounds of local beef and pork to friends and families in need.

In its history, the program has already provided over 17,785 pounds of meat for Hamilton County food pantries and meals programs.

On Tuesday, July 20 at the 4-H Livestock Auction, the Food Bank will purchase – with help from donors all across the county – nine beef and dairy cattle and eight hogs from 16 local 4-H members.

Two of these 4-H members, Jenna Peterson and Andrew Holloway, are 10-year 4-H’ers and have participated in the program multiple years. Meating the Need donations go towards the sale of the animals and to the 4-H members as they pursue their 4-H, education, and life goals.

Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry will again donate all of the meat processing costs.

Please consider a monetary donation towards Meating the Need 2021. This program helps to not only provide good healthy local protein for the county’s most vulnerable kids and families, but it also strengthens the community partnerships between local farm families and the greater community.

Donate online at hchfoodbank.org/online-giving and designate Meating the Need. Check donations can be made to Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank, P.O. Box 881, Noblesville, IN 46061, Memo: Meating the Need.