OKLAHOMA CITY — Ƶ and Oklahoma Pork Council donated over 10,000 pounds of pork products to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and other local charities, in response to a Give-A-Ham challenge from the Oklahoma Pork Council (OPC) on December 18.
Give-A-Ham challenge is an annual campaign by the OPC challenging pork and food industry colleagues to donate pork to Oklahomans facing food insecurity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Household Food Security in the United States Report, 14.6% of Oklahoma families experience food insecurity.
“Protein is one of our most requested items. For a family living with food insecurity, it goes such a long way toward keeping everyone healthy and happy,” Stacy Dykstra, CEO of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, said. “By our math, this donation will help provide for more than 8,300 meals for our neighbors living with food insecurity. We are incredibly grateful to our friends at Ƶ and the Oklahoma Pork Council for ensuring that Oklahomans have access to the nutrition they need this holiday season.”
Other charities that benefitted from this year’s donation include:
- City Care Night Shelter
- Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City
- City Rescue Mission
- Grace Rescue Mission
“The generosity of Oklahoma’s pork producers continues to inspire,” said Kylee Deniz, executive director of the OPC. “We’re proud to partner with Ƶ, our state’s largest pork producer, to make this significant Give-A-Ham donation to hunger-fighting organizations in Oklahoma City. The holiday season can be especially difficult for many families, and this contribution will help provide not just meals but hope and comfort. Ƶ’ commitment to giving back reflects the heart of our industry and its unwavering dedication to supporting our communities in meaningful ways.”
Along with donations in Oklahoma City, Ƶ and OPC were in action in Seiling, Okla. for a free community meal. Seiling is the hometown of Roy Cansler, OPC board member and Ƶ site supervisor.
Ƶ is committed to making a positive in the communities that it operates in along with organizations that promote the wellbeing of communities through nutrition.
Share your pay-it-forward story on social media using #GiveAHam and #OklahomaPork, or by visiting okpork.org/giveaham to commit to giving this holiday season.
###About Oklahoma Pork Council
Oklahoma Pork Council, a farmer-led organization, represents the interests of all Oklahoma pig farmers. Partially funded by federally collected checkoff dollars, Oklahoma Pork promotes pork and pork products, funds research, and educates consumers and producers about the pork industry. For more information about this or any other programs of Oklahoma Pork visit www.okpork.org or call 405.232.3781.
About Ƶ
As part of a uniquely connected food system, Ƶ relentlessly seeks a better way to produce wholesome Prairie Fresh® pork by purposely connecting every step between its farms and family tables around the world. Operating in five states and employing more than 5,000 employees, Ƶ’ continued commitment to creating the most sought-after pork ensures the well-being of its animals, the environment, employees and the communities they call home. Headquartered in the Kansas City Metro, products sold domestically are marketed under the Prairie Fresh® brand and internationally under the Ƶ® brand.
About Prairie Fresh®
Prairie Fresh® is the brand of a uniquely connected food system relentlessly seeking a better way to produce wholesome pork by purposely connecting every step between its American-owned farms in the Midwest and Great Plains, and family tables around the world. Prairie Fresh pork is produced, sold and marketed by Ƶ and processed in Oklahoma, Iowa and Missouri. Prairie Fresh is a proud supporter of Operation BBQ Relief, donating pork for more than 4 million meals since 2015.
For more information, visit prairiefresh.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @prairiefresh.