SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Pork producers across the state are passionate about ensuring their neighbors have access to healthy and nutritious food. One local pork producer used his stimulus money, plus his leadership stipend from his role as president of the organization, to provide his hometown and the surrounding communities, access to pork.
In partnership with the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) Pork Power program, producer Dale Weitekamp of Raymond, donated 742 pounds of ground pork across nine local food pantries.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends including meat protein as part of a complete, well-balanced and nutritious diet. However, many food pantries find it difficult to maintain an adequate supply of such. IPPA, producers and partners are committed to providing pork for those in need. This is why producers like Dale created the Pork Power program in 2008.
“As a pork producer, feeding our neighbors is part of our job. We work to provide a quality product that we are proud to feed to your family and ours,” says Weitekamp.
The year 2020, and even 2021, has taken a toll on the well-being of our communities. Dale has watched this first-hand through his time as a local emergency medical technician (EMT).
“I felt it in my heart to turn my stimulus checks into pork to provide to my local community,” explains Weitekamp. “On top of that, I also converted the stipend I received from serving as the IPPA President in 2020 into pork. It will go to better use as food.”
Through Dale’s passion for feeding his neighbors, he was able to donate ground pork to the following pantries:
- Bond County Senior Center Food Pantry in Greenville
- CEFS Montgomery County in Taylor Springs
- Coffeen Food Pantry
- Harvest of Hope Food Pantry in Hillsboro
- Litchfield Food Pantry
- Morrisonville/Palmer Food Pantry
- Nokomis Food Pantry
- Open Arms Fellowship Church Food Pantry in Irving
- Panhandle Food Pantry in Raymond
All of the product donated was processed locally at Paris Frozen Foods in Hillsboro.
If you are interested in helping IPPA and producers across the state fight food insecurity, visit ilpork.com. For every $20 donation you are helping provide 20 servings of ground pork and you will receive a t-shirt as a thank you for your donation.
Since inception in 2008, the Pork Power program has generated over 922,000 pounds of pork – enough for nearly 3 million meals – for families throughout Illinois.
— Illinois Pork Producers Association
For more articles out of Illinois, click here.