United Way donates hundreds of pounds of pork to local food bank

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PREBLE COUNTY — Many food insecure families face the difficult decision of buying either meat or other less nutritional and less expensive foods. With this in mind, the Preble County Branch of the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area has begun a new innovative way to support our youth and agricultural community while working to get more meat into people’s refrigerators who need it.

Food pantries are “always really low on protein, because that is the most expensive piece,” said Alexa Joyce, Preble County United Way Director. “And it’s not what people usually think about donating. Community donations tend to be canned goods. This not only helps our local food pantry but encourages our junior livestock programs through 4-H and FFA. ”

United Way purchased two junior fair livestock hogs to in turn, donate the meat to a local food bank. With the help of a donation from Winner’s Meat Farms, they were able to keep the cost of processing low.

“When Alexa approached me with this idea, I thought it was great and I was eager to be a part of it as Winner’s Meat Farm likes to do anything we can to support our community, especially in a way that promotes agriculture among our youth,” said Rob of Winner’s Meat Farm.

“We are so grateful for the meat donation, the Preble County Food Pantry serves on average 135 families a month which is approximately 315 individuals and meat is one of the items that they really need. Meat is an expensive and is not often donated therefore the Food Pantry has to either purchase is from local grocery stores or from The FoodBank of Dayton so this donation is a blessing. United Way cares about Preble County and is always looking for ways to support families in need,” Jenny McCarty, director at the Once Around Shop, said.

Those interested in donating to the Preble County Livestock Fund can do so by donating online at www.liveuniteddayton.org/give and typing livestock in the comment box or by sending a check to the United Way of Greater Dayton Preble County Branch, 225 North Barron Street, Eaton, OH 45320 and noting that the donation is for the Livestock Fund.

R-H Staff

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