Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Needy families throughout Illinois will put healthy meat on the table, thanks to a 109,000-pound donation headed by the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Also participating in the grant-funded donation at the Central Illinois Foodbank Monday were representatives of Feeding Illinois, the Illinois Association of Meat Processors, the Illinois Corn Growers Association, the Illinois Soybean Association, and State Sen. Doris Turner (pictured, left) (D-Springfield).

It’s part of the Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign, whose funds are doubled by Feeding Illinois’ Farm to Food Bank program.

Pam Molitoris (pictured, third from left), Central Illinois Foodbank’s executive director, said the families benefiting – that is, 14,000 families in her 21-county region – will each receive a pound of ground pork.

“This partnership puts more fresh, high-quality protein on the tables of our state’s hungry neighbors while investing in our Illinois hog farmers and supporting our Feeding Illinois food bank,” said Steve Ericson (pictured, second from right), Feeding Illinois’ executive director.

Jennifer Tirey (pictured, second from left), executive director of the pork producers’ group, said farmers participate by donating animals.