After providing more than 318,000 servings of pork from 611 donated pigs last year, the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation is hoping to feed even more struggling Missourians in this summer's effort.
Hogs for Hunger is accepting pig donations to process into ground pork and distribute through Feeding Missouri's six regional food banks.
Ashley McCarty, executive director of the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, said last year's effort exceeded expectations. With pork producers seeing a slowdown in processing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Missouri Pork Association partnered with the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation to process backlogged hogs and feed struggling Missourians.
McCarty praised pork producers and processors, as well as agribusinesses that raised $100,000 in 24 hours for the cause. The 611 donated pigs produced 69,670 pounds of ground pork, which equated to 318,000 servings for food-insecure Missourians.
One in five Missouri children and 1.1 million Missourians face food insecurity and don't know where their next meal will come from, McCarty said.
Due to the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, McCarty said, the need to provide for food-insecure Missourians has become even more important.
"We know the need has not shrunk; it has grown," McCarty said. "We would like to make an even larger impact in the lives of children and families throughout Missouri."
Hogs for Hunger is hoping to exceed its previous numbers and provide more servings of food for struggling Missourians.
"In agriculture, we feel it's incumbent upon us to ensure that there is an abundance on everyone's dinner table," McCarty said, adding that the effort aims to ensure children are not left behind.
One donated pig feeds 525 Missourians in need. McCarty said donating to Hogs for Hunger is a great way to get "a lot of bang for your buck in your giving."
Pig farmers can donate to Hogs for Hunger by booking a spot at a USDA- or state-inspected processing plant. Donors should coordinate the donation of the pork to a Feeding Missouri food pantry of their choice.
This year, the effort is expanding to invite 4-H and FFA exhibitors to donate their pigs. Up to 50 pigs will be taken for donation and processed after the Missouri State Fair.
"It is fulfilling to see the heart of Missouri agriculture expressed by Missouri farmers and youth donating much-needed, center-of-the-plate protein to hungry Missourians," McCarty said in a news release. "These donations will make a difference in the lives of our neighbors, over 1.1 million Missourians facing food insecurity."
More information about Hogs for Hunger can be found online at mofarmerscare.com/hogs-for-hunger.