Funds applied to “Meat” the Need Initiative to pay meat processing fees on donated livestock and deer.
The COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund of the Greater Evansville Region and Indiana United Ways with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded $10,000 to Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry’s “Meat” the Need Initiative to help ensure hunger relief agencies serving food-insecure residents in Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Spencer counties continue to have access to nutritious meat. The hunger relief organization had previously received $15,000 in an earlier round of GERF funding.
According to Feeding America, Indiana has 887,000 residents who regularly struggle with food insecurity - 273,380 of which are children.
“More than ever, families are struggling to buy groceries. 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 during these uncertain times,” said Amber Zecca, Fund Development Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry. “Proper nutrition is vital to the health of all Hoosiers. That is why protein is so important, and sadly, it is also the hardest commodity for food banks to obtain, especially now.”
“This grant will cover the processing cost of approximately 8,000 pounds of donated livestock and deer – providing over 32,000 more meals through local hunger relief agencies. We are so grateful for the continued support of our efforts in responding to the needs of those in the community facing hunger. A meal provided to a person in need means reduced hunger and increased disposable income because they can spend less on food. Right now, that is so important,” said Debra Treesh, Executive Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.