Parke County Community Foundation Makes Donation To Help Feed Hungry

parke-ccf

ROCKVILLE, Ind – The Parke County Community Foundation recently awarded Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry $2,500 to be used to serve Parke County residents.

According to the latest Feeding America Map the Meal Gap report, Indiana has 887,070 people struggling with hunger – 273,380 of which are children and 70,000 are seniors. There are many Hoosiers out there who are “working poor”. These individuals, who are considered food insecure, earn just enough to make them ineligible for food-assistance programs. They are working hard to try and support their families but the always rising cost of living makes their struggle even more difficult.

Seniors are usually living on a fixed-income and often have to make the difficult decision between paying for medication, housing, and food. Food insecurity, especially with protein deficiency, can lead to loss of muscle mass and bone frailty, decreased immune system, babies with lower birth weights, and damage to a child’s ability to learn and grow – as the lack of healthy food results in people receiving fewer nutrients.

For seniors, food insecurity can lead to a deterioration in health, hospitalization, and even depression. Proper nutrition is vital to the growth and development of children and the health of all Hoosiers. That is why protein, an important component of every cell in the body and one of the most important nutrients for brain and body development in children, is so important! Sadly, it is also the hardest commodity for food banks to obtain.

There is NO cost to donors.

  “The $2,500 in funds will pay to process about 2,150 pounds of donated large game and livestock – providing 8,600 more meals through area hunger-relief agencies to residents in need within their community,” said Treesh. “Partnering with 87 meat processors statewide, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry gives approximately 575,000 pounds of meat annually to an average of 450 hunger relief agencies throughout Indiana,” shared Amber Zecca, Fund Development Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry. “Rice Quality Farm Meats has been working for Parke County and does all the processing at a reduced rate so that we are able to make grants like this go so much further. This partnership led to the donation and processing of over 2,200 pounds over the past year. This nutritious protein has been given to and distributed by Parke County Community Food Bank and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana  – providing 8,800 more meals to Parke County families in need!”