(St, Joseph County, Indiana) –Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Beim
Foundation to support its “Meat” the Need initiative.
Debra Treesh, Executive Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, said that the funds received will be
used for implementing the “Meat” The Need program, which pays to process donations of livestock and
deer and gives the meat to hunger-relief agencies serving over 834,000 food-insecure residents
throughout the state of Indiana.
According to Feeding America, an estimated 50% of Indiana residents struggling with food insecurity
make above the threshold to qualify for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. To make
ends meet, many are turning to local hunger-relief agencies such as food banks, food pantries, and soup
kitchens. “More than ever, families are struggling to buy groceries and hunger-relief agencies are seeing
more demand for their services.” Said Katie DeForest, Fund Development Director for Hoosiers Feeding
the Hungry. “Unfortunately, these agencies are experiencing the same diminished purchasing power that
families are facing with their own grocery budgets and meat, especially, is difficult to obtain.”
Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry partners with various community members and organizations in order to
get more meat into hunger-relief agencies and into the hands of residents in need. Farmers, hunters, and
4-H members donate deer and livestock to their “Meat” The Need program. Donations are processed at
local participating meat processors and the meat is distributed to hunger-relief agencies within the
community it was donated in. Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry pays 100% of the processing fees so there is
no charge to donors or agencies receiving meat.
“The generous donation from the Beim Foundation will allow us to continue and expand on our mission of
improving the quality of life for Hoosiers by providing nutritious meat to hunger relief agencies within
Indiana. We are so grateful for the continued support of our efforts in responding to the needs of those in
the community facing hunger.” Said Debra Treesh
To donate, farmers and hunters just need to take their livestock or deer to a local participating meat
processor (call ahead to schedule livestock). After processing, local food banks and pantries are called to
pick up the donation. There is absolutely no charge to the livestock and deer donors. For a list of
participating meat processors, visit www.HoosiersFeedingtheHungry.org
