(Fort Wayne, Indiana) –Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has received a $10,000 award from the Olive B. Cole
Foundation to support its “Meat” the Need initiative.
According to Feeding America, approximately 726,000 Hoosiers regularly struggle with food insecurity –
over 30% of which are children. Debra Treesh, Executive Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, said
that the funds received will be used to pay processing fees on nearly 7,000 pounds of donated livestock
and deer, with the meat being given to agencies serving food-insecure residents within four counties in
Northeast Indiana: Dekalb, LaGrange, Noble, and Steuben.
“Food banks, pantries and soup kitchens work to protect the most vulnerable and under-served in our
communities and these agencies continue to face increased demand due to the lasting effects of the 2020
pandemic and continued rise in inflation.” Said Katie DeForest, Fund Development Director of Hoosiers
Feeding the Hungry. “Protein is one of the most important nutrients for brain and body development.
Sadly, it is also the hardest commodity for food banks to obtain, especially now with the rising cost of
groceries.”
“The Olive B. Cole Foundation’s generous grant will allow us to continue and expand on our mission of
hunger relief by providing over 27,000 more meals through local hunger relief agencies in Northeast
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
