Operation Feed La Porte County a success

LA PORTE, Ind. — The La Porte community, including more than 20 businesses and nonprofit organizations, worked together to provide local 4-H-raised protein to 29 food pantries and soup kitchens Aug. 22.

The effort was part of Operation Feed La Porte County. The group donated more than 5,000 pounds of fresh protein that was purchased from the La Porte County 4-H Livestock Auction on July 14 — 2,000 pounds more than in 2022.

Seven hogs, seven steers, two goats and 12 lambs, including the grand and reserve grand champion carcass lambs, were processed at Sims Meat Processing in Kingsbury.

In addition, all cattle organs were donated to the La Porte County K9 Division for their dogs’ raw diets.

“The local ag community is proud to see this event get bigger and better every year,” said Mark Parkman, La Porte County Farm Bureau president.

“Protein is something that isn’t donated to food pantries often. They receive a lot of canned goods instead. If farmers can help by donating local 4-H livestock from our community back to the neighbors who need it most, we are going to do it.”

Other event highlights:

• Stock the Trailer, Fight the Hunger dispersed 6,260 pounds of nonperishable food that was donated during the week of the 2023 La Porte County Fair.

• Local farms throughout La Porte County donated an assortment of fresh produce during the event.

• Burek Farms donated more than $1,500 worth of cantaloupe, watermelon, green beans and peppers.

Any local business, person or nonprofit that would like to be involved in the 2024 event may contact Catherine Mrozinski at operationfeedlpco@gmail.com.