Food Banks Saskatchewan is welcoming the donation of 2,000 kilograms of fresh Saskatchewan pork.
It comes in a joint donation from Sask Pork in Saskatoon and Thunder Creek Pork processing plant in Moose Jaw. Pork supplied was split between the Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon food banks.
"The donation of this quality pork is a real bonus for these three food banks and their clients. Our food banks are always scrambling to provide this vital source of protein to hungry families," said Bill Hall, executive director of Food Banks Saskatchewan and also the Battlefords food bank, in a statement.
The donation should help the food banks in the service they provide to the province. According to a Saskatchewan Food Banks Association Hungercount Report released near the end of 2012, almost 25,000 individuals were assisted by food banks in 2012 (up 38.7 per cent since 2008). Of those, 47.5 per centwere under the age of 18 years.
The opportunity to make a donation was welcomed by Thunder Creek Pork President, Tony Martinez. "Though our company is relatively new to Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan, we've quickly developed a connection with the local community," said Martinez.
"We appreciate the challenges food banks face in ensuring there is enough food to meet the needs of the individuals who rely on them."
Also welcoming the news was Sask Pork Chair Florian Possberg.t
"Farmers understand all too well the anxiety an uncertain economy can cause not only in the farming community but for society as a whole," said Possberg in a statement. He also said that while the pork sector continues to struggle through financial uncertainty, "we are food producers and even in difficult times it's important to find a way to give back in a meaningful way."
