“Meating” The Need sets new record in donors & donations

102 local donors contribute over $42,000 to fight local hunger

Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank (HCH) has sponsored its 11^th 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 seven beef and 12 swine at the Hamilton County 4-H Livestock Auction on Tuesday, July 21. An amazing 102 local donors helped fund this year’s Meating the Need project with over $42,000 in donations, both new records.

Photo provided

The 4,937 pounds of meat supplied 25 Hamilton County food pantries with farm fresh beef and pork raised by local 4-H members. Meat Distribution Days were in August. St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Men’s Group, Carmel, and Food Bank volunteers helped with distribution.

The 19 4-H members who designated their animals for sale to the Food Bank helped to feed families and children in our own community with the equivalent of 19,748 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. 10 Year 4-H members participating this year included Tyler Drummond, Cade Henderson, Abby Holloway, and Rees Knapp.

Thank you to Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry who help significantly with processing costs.

Thank you to Archers Meats and Catering and Maxwell Meats 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.

Thank you to Kim Beaver, Mike McCloughan, Mike Cahill, Rod Howard, Randy Hagen, and Ellie Miller who helped with the graphics, banner, and trucking and animal coordination.

HCH thanks all of the generous donors who sent donations to the Food Bank to fund this year’s project.

Photo provided