“Meating” the Need hits new donation record

More than 5,000 pounds of meat distributed to local food banks

Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank (HCH) has sponsored its ninth year of “Meating” the Need, a partnership between 4-H Beef, Dairy, and Swine projects and the Food Bank.

HCH is a non-profit organization that supports local food pantries and meal programs year round in Hamilton County. This year, HCH purchased nine beef and 10 swine at the Hamilton County 4-H Livestock Auction on Tuesday, July 23. An amazing 84 local donors helped fund this year’s Meating the Need project with over $30,000 in donations – a NEW RECORD.

(ABOVE LEFT) Beef distribution to Aroma United Methodist Church on Aug. 10. (ABOVE RIGHT) Getting ready to unload the truck for beef distribution. (Photos provided by Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank)

The 5,348 pounds of meat, the most meat distributed for Meating the Need yet, supplied 26 Hamilton County food pantries with farm fresh beef and pork raised by local 4-H members. Meat Distribution Days were Aug. 5 and 10. St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church of Carmel once again helped with distribution.

The 20 4-H members who designated their animals for sale to the Food Bank helped to feed families and children in their own communities with the equivalent of 21,392 meals of good, healthy protein. Donations to this program went towards the appraised market purchase price of the 4-H animals, processing, and to the 4-H members as they pursue their 4-H, education, and life goals.

Thank you to Archers Meats and Catering and This Old Farm for processing all of the animals and the Hamilton County 4-H Staff and 4-H Livestock Auction Committee who help make Meating the Need happen every year.

HCHFB welcomes donations year-round to support this initiative. Please send to HCH Food Bank, P.O. Box 881, Noblesville, IN 46061, or visit hchfoodbank.org/online-giving and designate “Meating The Need.”