Oklahoma FFA and 4-H students donated 632 animals to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s Pork for Packs program during the 2021 Oklahoma Youth Expo.
The Pork for Packs program uses donated animals to create protein sticks to be included in the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma backpack programs, which provide pre-assembled food sacks to chronically hungry elementary school children at no cost to the school or the child. The food bags contain kid-friendly, non-perishable and nutritious food – including protein sticks – on Fridays to sustain them over weekends and school holidays.
“We are thankful for the generous donations from youth involved in agriculture by providing their animals to create protein sticks,” said David VonTungeln, OKFB Foundation for Agriculture president. “We are able to continue this program from donations throughout the year and are proud to help feed those in need.”
The Pork for Packs program is a collaboration among the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. FFA students donations’ are a part of Oklahoma FFA Association’s Hunger Challenge, which encourages students to donate animals to the Pork for Packs program.
For more information about the programs, contact Holly Carroll at (405) 523-2300.
