OPC Donations Bring “PORK POWER” TO THOSE IN NEED

Even in less-than-ideal economic times for everyone, including the pork industry, Ohio’s pork producers have once again demonstrated why “We Care” isn’t merely a slogan. From Toledo and Cleveland and Columbus to Bucyrus, the annual Pork Power donations made to some of the state’s best-placed nonprofit organizations have proven to be great partners to get much-needed pork protein to those in need.

“As farmers, it’s part of who we are to give back,” said Nick Seger, president of the Ohio Pork Council and a producer from Minster, Ohio. “We realize the need is even greater in these economic times so we’re pleased to partner with organizations that can either distribute pork products directly to their guests or use the pork to provide meals to those who would otherwise not have access to high-quality protein.”

“Donations like this from the Ohio Pork Council are a lifeline to us,” said Rori Quinonez, Executive Director of SAME Café. “We don’t get a lot of high-quality animal protein for our kitchen to use for our meals, so this is an amazing gift for us to use to feed those in need in the Toledo area.”

The feelings from the Salvation Army of Bucyrus were much the same as all other Pork Power recipients across the state – one of gratitude.

“We are committed to meeting human needs in Bucyrus and all of Crawford County,” said Major Debbra Grace, The Salvation Army, Bucyrus Corps. “We have been serving this area for 130 years and will continue to do so with the support of the community, business, and organizations such as the Ohio Pork Council and our neighbors, Hord Family Farms. We are privileged to work alongside such caring and giving people to feed those who are struggling with food insecurity.”

Ohio Pork Council President, Nick Seger (right), a producer from Minster, Ohio, presented a check to Craig Truax, director of corporate partnerships for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, for $5,000. The organization will use the funds to purchase pork that it will serve to those in need through its Mid-Ohio kitchen in Columbus.

On behalf of all Ohio pork producers, Janel Hord, from Hord Family Farms (far right), presented a check for $2,500 to Major Tom Grace and Major Debbra Grace at The Salvation Army in Bucyrus, Ohio. The organization will use the funds to purchase pork to help supply high-quality protein to those in need in Crawford County.

By The Numbers

$5,000

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK

MID-OHIO FOOD COLLECTIVE $5,000

$2,500

SALVATION ARMY, BUCYRUS $2,500 NEW DAY MINISTRIES, CRAWFORD COUNTY $2,500 SAME CAFÉ, TOLEDO

Nick Seger (right), President of the Ohio Pork Council, presents Rori Quinonez, Executive Director of SAME Café, with a donation that will purchase pork for the Toledo, Ohio, non-profit to serve to its hundreds of guests each week who either volunteer time, provide produce or donate funds to the organization in exchange for their meal.

Dave Shoup, past president of the Ohio Pork Council and his wife, Alona, producers from Orrville, Ohio (center), presented a check for $5,000 to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank recently for the organization to purchase pork, which it will distribute to those in need via its many partner agencies in northeast Ohio.

Donations like this from the Ohio Pork Council are a lifeline to us, said Rori Quinonez, Executive Director of SAME Café.

On behalf of all Ohio pork producers, Janel Hord, from Hord Family Farms (left), presented a check for $2,500 to Kaden Thomas, executive director of New Day Ministries in Bucyrus, Ohio. The organization will use the funds to purchase pork to help provide high-quality protein for the families it serves in north central Ohio.