2,400 Meals Provided By Porter County Community Foundation’s 4-H Donation To The Food Bank

At this year's Porter County Fair 4-H Livestock Auction, the Porter County Community Foundation was the winning bidder on five hogs and one steer. The resulting benefit is that over 1,500 pounds of meat was donated to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana for distribution to Porter County food pantries. Ultimately, 2,400 meals will be provided to those in need.

The Porter County Community Foundation donated 1,500 pounds of meat from livestock, purchased at the 4-H Auction, to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

Pictured left to right: Tyler Sims, Sims Meats; Amy Briseno, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Donor Relations Coordinator; Bill Higbie, Porter County Community Foundation President & CEO; Cheri Birky, Porter County Community Foundation Board Member; Brandon Trader, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Driver/Warehouse Associate.

Bidding for the Foundation was President and CEO, Bill Higbie, assisted by Foundation Board Member, Cheri Birky. "The Foundation appreciates the value of this type of community investment," Higbie said. "Not only does our participation in the auction benefit the 4-H kids, but a significant number of food-insecure families will now have access to high-quality meat," Higbie added.

Cheri Birky worked with Craig Sims of Sims Meats to arrange the processing. Sims contributed to the project by processing two hogs free of charge. "Craig is really supportive of the Community Foundation's participation in the livestock auction. We greatly appreciate his generosity," Birky said.

“The support of the Porter County Community Foundation has a tremendous impact on the ability of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana to provide food assistance to neighbors in Porter County,” said Amy Briseño, Donor Relations Coordinator of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. “We know that our partner agencies are thrilled to be able to receive the meat to give to the families they serve. Keeping our community nourished and fed is truly a collaborative effort. We are so grateful for the Foundation’s continued support and involvement in fighting food insecurity alongside us.”

PCCF Supports 4-H & Food Bank

At this year’s Porter County Fair 4-H livestock auction - held virtually due to COVID-19 - the Porter County Community Foundation cast the winning bids on five hogs and one steer, resulting in a donation of over 1,500 pounds of meat to local food pantries. 

The Porter County Community Foundation, in collaboration with Porter County 4-H, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry and Sims Meat Processing, donated 1,500 lbs. of meat to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana which will be distributed to local food pantries. Left to Right: Amy Briseno, Food Bank of NWI Donor Relations Coordinator; Raymond Mack, Food Bank of NWI Warehouse Coordinator; Bill Higbie, Porter County Community Foundation President & CEO; Cheri Birky, Porter County Community Foundation Board Member; Craig Sims, Sims Meat Processing Owner.

Bidding for the Foundation was President and CEO, Bill Higbie, assisted by Board Member, Cheri Birky. “We appreciate being able to make an investment that has such far-reaching benefits,” said Higbie. “We’re helping the 4-H kids and providing meat to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana which makes its way to our local food pantries, who are then able to offer an important source of nutrition to those in need,” he added. 

Birky coordinated the entire effort.  “This was a special opportunity at an important time when many are dealing with the challenges of COVID-19,” she said.  “Craig Sims, of Sims Meat Processing, helped by processing two hogs free of charge and Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry - an Indiana-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure all Hoosiers have access to good quality, nutritious meat – covered the remaining costs. This was a true collaboration for the good of our community.”