Food programs across Ontario will be able to help more people this holiday season thanks to more than $55,000 in donations made on behalf of the province’s pork producers.
Funds were raised through the Pork Industry Gratitude Project, a grassroots initiative started by pork producers in Perth County, who wanted to bring some good into a challenging year. The project wrapped up in December with a donation of $30,000 to the Feed Ontario network of food banks and an additional $25,000 shared between 28 community-based food programs.
As producers of healthy, high-quality protein, Ontario’s pork producers believe in doing their part to ensure people in their local communities have enough to eat during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
This December, in the spirit of holiday giving, each of Ontario’s 25 local pork associations were invited to nominate a food-based charity in their community to receive a one-time donation of $1,000. Some pork associations that represent a broad geographic area chose to split that amount between two non-profit groups. A full list of recipients can be found at the end of this release.
“The Ottawa Valley Pork Producers’ Association recognizes what a difficult year this has been for so many in our community and we were pleased to nominate the Ottawa Food Bank as a recipient of the Pork Industry Gratitude Project donation,” said Brian Hudson, Secretary/Treasurer Ottawa Valley Pork Producers’ Association. “There are many families with children who rely on this charity throughout the year, especially during the holiday season.”
Feed Ontario donation
In addition to this community-based giving by local associations, funds raised through the Pork Industry Gratitude Project enabled a one-time donation of $30,000 to Feed Ontario to purchase fresh ground pork. Feed Ontario is a network representing 130 direct member food banks and over 1,100 affiliate agencies, distributing more than 5 million pounds of food each year to those in need. This donation compliments Ontario Pork’s annual commitment of $40,000 per year to Feed Ontario, as well as the ongoing good work of the Ontario Pork and OPIC Friends of the Food Bank program.
“Food banks across the province faced increased demand and additional pressures this year as the COVID-19 pandemic brought job losses and economic uncertainty,” said Carolyn Stewart, Executive Director of Feed Ontario. “Having a reliable supply of healthy, fresh protein makes a huge difference in the lives of individuals and families facing food insecurity. We’re very appreciative of the efforts of the pork industry to make that happen.”
About the Pork Industry Gratitude Project
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Perth County Pork Producers spearheaded the Pork Industry Gratitude Project – a one-time, people-focused fundraising initiative meant to bring some light into difficult times. More than $100,000 was raised to support:
- appreciation lunches for processing plant workers
- donations to help provide fresh ground pork to the Feed Ontario network
- donations by local pork associations to support community-based food giving.
“We’re incredibly grateful how the entire industry came together to have a positive impact during some challenging times that affected all of us,” said John Nyenhuis, a Perth County farmer and one of the organizers of the Pork Industry Gratitude Project. “No matter what challenges they were facing on other fronts, these farmers, farm groups and businesses stepped up to help others. That’s the spirit that makes me proud to be a pork producer.”
Source : Ontario Pork