Hoosiers Feeding The Hungry asking for donations

Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry is asking for monetary donations to aid its program throughout the upcoming 4-H Fair season.

Founded in 2011, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry partners with various community members and organizations within Indiana to get nutritious meat into hunger relief agencies and into the hands of residents in need.

Livestock and deer are donated through their “Meat The Need” program. Donations are then processed at local participating meat processors and the meat is distributed to hunger relief agencies within the community.

Executive Director Debra Treesh anticipates a greater need for donations this year, as SNAP benefits returned to prepandemic levels in March.

“We have already had more agen- cies than ever reach out to our program for meat this past year.” Said Treesh. “Food pantries usually get canned and boxed food donated and need to purchase meat to fill in the nutritional gaps. Unfortunately, they are seeing more need for their services and can’t afford to purchase as much meat. That’s where our program can help.”

Last year, donations of livestock from Indiana 4-H fairs alone pro-

Nappanee Legion becoming more ‘family friendly’

The American Legion Post 154 in Nappanee is making a transformation. Long gone are the days when it was a myth the Legion was just a drinking establishment for veterans.

Today, the Legion is re-inventing itself, becoming a place to bring the family, eat dinner and enjoy time socializing.

On Feb. 15, a vote was conducted and the Legion agreed to become a non-smoking establishment, starting Saturday, July 1. This decision was made to make it a healthier environment and more family friendly.

“Nappanee has a strong military history,” said Rudy Espinoza, an Army veteran who has been a Legion member for 17 years.

Charted in 1919, the Nappanee Legion was built by veterans. The national Legion is pushing posts to become non-smoking establishments, according to Betty Slagle, an auxiliary member.

“We’re going back to basics,” she said.

Jacob Dermott, the post’s commander, said, “Our goal is to make this more family friendly and respectful and a place to socialize.”

Becoming smoke free is just one of several positive changes for the Legion. The Legion is hoping to retain memberships and get more people to join the Legion as well as attract families.

The Legion consists of four groups. Currently, it has 155 members, all of whom are veterans. The Legion’s auxiliary has 215 members. The Sons of the American Legion has 166 members, and the American Legion Riders consists of 58 members.

The Legion is very active in the community. Legion members march in parades and the Boy Scouts are a program of the Nappanee Legion.

“We present the colors at NorthWood football and basketball games,” said Espinoza.

Tuesday nights are trivia nights. A family night is currently being proposed and in October, the Legion conducts trunk or treat. The Legion also participates in events during the Nappanee Apple Festival.

“This is what the Legion is all about,” said Espinoza. “We want the public to know we welcome them. We are changing for the future.”

On Friday nights, a meal is served and open to the public. Dinners are affordable at $8 or $9.

“We look forward to this chance for fellowship with our members as we progress in this new adventure,” a letter to Legion members stated.

Elkhart County 4-H Fair president’s item announced

2023 Elkhart County 4-H Fair President Fred Jessup has announced the President’s Item this year will be “Anything Goes with Cherries.”

The President’s Item is an Open Class contest in which anyone over the age of 8 in the Michiana area can enter. There is no preregistration or entry fee. Bring your entry to the 4-H Fairgrounds, Home & Family Arts Building, on Thursday, July 20. Check-in is from 7:30 to 11 a.m., with open judging at 11:15 a.m. by Jessup.

Participants may enter only one item. Your entry must be accompanied by a neatly written, printed or typed recipe on an 8-1/2-inch-by-11-inch sheet of paper on one side only. Include your name, address and telephone number on the back side of the recipe and include the year, contest and category entered.

Names are covered during judging. One winner will be selected from all entries and will receive a prize of $10 from the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Board. Recipes become the property of the Elkhart County Extension Homemakers with the right to use them for fair publicity. vided over 78,000 pounds of beef, pork, chicken, lamb and goat to local hunger relief agencies. The meat from these donations provided for over 300,000 protein-packed meals served through food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens throughout the state. Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry pays for all of the processing fees on these donations, so there is no cost to the agencies receiving meat from the program.

The Purdue Extension Elkhart County office prints the Open Class Home & Family Arts Department booklet each year with details on entering open class items. Copies are available by visiting the Purdue Extension Elkhart County Office at 17746 CR 34, Goshen, or download a copy at extension.purdue.edu/ county/elkhart/open-class-hfa. html.

The Legion is looking for volunteers to prepare the canteen for remodeling. The work will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 19-22 and June 26-29 and the Legion will be closed during those days.

Volunteers and Legion members will be removing items from the walls for cleaning and temporary storage; bring screw guns and any other tools which will help.

Another way of helping is contributing to the cost of the remodeling. Make checks payable to: American Legion Post 154, 201 W. Lincoln St., Nappanee, IN 46550.

Contributions are tax deductible.

For more information, visit its Facebook page or call (574) 7737686.

“Fair season is huge for our program,” said Fund Development Director Katie DeForest. “Over half of our livestock donations are the results of the 4-H fair season. Thanks to our partnerships throughout the state, the cost to us to process this meat is only about $1.43 per pound. Meat prices have come down a bit since the pandemic, but the Midwest is still averaging about $3.86 per pound for the same type of meat we provide. This means funds donated to our program can provide about 62% more meat to hunger relief agencies than the same funds spent at the grocery store.”

Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry hopes to raise an additional $100,000 statewide through September 2023 to offset the costs of approximately 70,000 pounds of livestock donations throughout the summer.

Hostetler named Nappanee Boys & Girls Club director

Grace Hostetler has been named the new Nappanee Area Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County. She replaces Mandy Gerber, who recently was promoted to director of programming and training for the county.

“Grace has a long relationship with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County and has served the members in Nappanee well,” said President and CEO Tami Hicks. “I’m confident she will carry on the tradition of strong, quality programming.”

Hostetler has worked for the Nappanee Club for more than seven years in a variety of roles. Most recently, she served program manager, developing and implementing quality programs for members.

“Over the past seven years, I’ve watched Grace learn the Boys & Girls Clubs culture and develop leadership skills,” said Gerber. “She is ready to find new successes as area director.”

Hostetler said she loves the relationships she’s built with members over the years and looks forward to the future. “I’m excited to make new connections in the community with our supporters, families and donors. I want everyone to know about the great programs we have here in Nappanee.

She’s also excited to continue working with Gerber, who has mentored her throughout her career.

“In every area I’ve been in, I’ve been able to learn from her,” said Hostetler. “She has helped my professional development and has always been a hand that is there when I need it.”

Hostetler also praised the great team at the Nappanee club. “Our team has such strong relationships. There is great communication, and the entire group is dedicated to making this space a positive experience for our members.”

Marcuccilli named to dean’s list

Macelyn Marcuccilli of Warsaw was named to the spring 2023 University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences dean’s list.

This accomplishment is a sign of Macelyn’s hard work and commitment to learning. More than

1,820 undergraduate students have qualified for the spring College of Arts & Sciences dean’s list. Students on the dean’s list earned 12 or more credit hours as letter grades with a minimum 3.60 GPA for the semester.