The Wisconsin Pork Association (WPA) this week donated 1,600 pounds of pork loin – or 8,000 servings – to Second Harvest of Southern Wisconsin. The pork arrived at the food bank on Thursday, December 22 and will be distributed to over 600 Wisconsin families through Second Harvest’s mobile pantry program over the next two weeks.
“Pig farmers across the state—and nation—are committed to contributing to a better quality of life in our communities” said Bill Gnatzig, WPA President. “This donation is just one way we can show we care about our communities and support those in need, especially during this time of year.”
For about 1 in 9 people in southwestern Wisconsin that next meal isn’t always there. Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin began working with local hunger-relief agencies in 16 southwestern Wisconsin counties in 1986. They help end hunger through food distribution to partner agencies, promotion of outside food assistance programs like FoodShare, and raising awareness of hunger. As southwestern Wisconsin’s largest hunger-relief charity they meet nearly one million requests for service each year.
WPA coordinated the donation and delivery with Sioux-Preme Packing in Sioux Center, IA, which donated the freight cost for the delivery to Second Harvest. The company also pre-cut the loins into 1 to 2 pound individual packages, which are ideal for the many smaller families Second Harvest serves and also helps prevent waste.
“We are incredibly grateful for this donation of such a wonderful product,” said Dan Stein, President & CEO of Second Harvest. “Our goal is to provide healthy and nutritious food like pork to those we serve. More importantly, it will provide a little hope to those facing hunger in southwestern Wisconsin this holiday season.”
In addition to the pork, WPA also provided recipe cards with instructions on how to prepare pork, as well as instant read thermometers to help ensure recipients cook the pork to the proper 145 degree internal temperature.
To make a donation to Second Harvest, go to https://donate.secondharvestmadison.org/. For every $1 donated, Second Harvest can provide three meals to residents of the state who are facing hunger. The ability of one dollar being able to provide a day’s worth of meals to a person facing hunger is an incredible feat. Also, 94 cents on every dollar invested in Second Harvest Foodbank goes directly to the organization’s programs that provide food for free to families and individuals struggling with hunger.
The Wisconsin Pork Association’s mission is to insure the future success of the Wisconsin pork industry. WPA represents the interests of the pork industry members with a strong emphasis on social issues, public and government policies, environment, animal welfare and safety.
