DAVENPORT, Ill. — As part of Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign, the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has donated over 1 MILLION POUNDS of pork to food banks since 2008.
IPPA board member, Tyler Main, was joined by representatives from River Bend Food Bank, and Andrew Lehman with the John Deere Classic for the donation of over 6,000 pounds of ground pork that was processed by Country Village Meats. The original donation was around 4,400 pounds and IPPA partnered with John Deere Classic this year to donate based on number of birdies made at the event, which totaled to 2,315 pounds.
By donating today to the River Bend Food Bank, the IPPA is now closer to its goal of 100,000 pounds available for families throughout Illinois. Farmers and partnering commodity groups have worked together to donate to the program year-round to help feed those in need.
“It is truly an honor to partner with the Illinois Pork Producers in such a fun and creative way. With each birdie scored at the John Deere Classic, the Illinois Pork Producers are enriching our community in making sure no one goes hungry,” said Andrew Lehman, John Deere Classic Tournament Director. “A huge thank you to both the Illinois Pork Producers and the River Bend Food Bank for continuing the important work in making sure we strive to meet these needs, one birdie and one pound of pork at a time.”
“This program holds deep personal significance for me and IL Corn because it highlights the meaningful role, we play in providing protein to families in need throughout Illinois,” said Cassie Dumoulin, IL Corn Director and hog farmer from Hampshire, Illinois. “As a hog farmer, I know how essential corn is in providing the nutrition our livestock need to thrive, and in turn, how those hogs help feed families in our communities. I’m especially thankful for the partnerships driving this effort because we achieve so much more when we unite behind a shared mission.”
Towards the end of each calendar year, IPPA turns the remaining funds into ground pork and divides it among the regional food banks in the state. This program would not be possible without our commodity partners, Illinois Corn Growers Association and Illinois Soybean Association. Thank you for your continued support.
The holidays are a season of giving, and Illinois pork producers strive to give back to our local communities all year long. As farmers, it is important to us that we can provide pork, a healthy source of protein, to families who are experiencing food insecurity. We know that hunger is not seasonal, though, and we will continue making donations like this to those in need.
Thank you to our generous sponsors
Illinois Corn Growers Association
Illinois Soybean Association
Illinois Association of Meat Processors
Food banks that received pork donations in 2024
Central Illinois Foodbank
St. Louis Area Food Bank
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Midwest Food Bank
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Peoria Area Food Bank
River Bend Food Bank
Tri-State Food Bank
Eastern Illinois Food Bank
IPPA encourages pig farmers to participate in the program by covering processing fees of their donated pigs. Farmers can go to ilpork.com to learn more about the donation process. This program would not be possible without the help of our commodity partners, local packers, and processors across the state, and those who purchased a themed t-shirt that profited the program.
—Illinois Pork Producers Association
