Michiana butchers lending a helping hand for "Meat the Need" program

Local butchers are stepping in to help food-insecure families across the Hoosier state.

The Braveheart Foundation recently gave “Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry” a $5,000 grant to put towards their “Meat the Need” program.

According to our reporting partners at The Elkhart Truth, the “Meat The Need” program aims to provide farmers and hunters an opportunity to donate livestock and large game, that includes cows, pigs and deer, to offer their meat for processing at local butchers at no cost.

Once processed, the meat is distributed to food pantries in communities where there is a need.

Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry says that over the last 6 years, they have given out nearly 740,000 pounds of donated meat through the program to Indiana food banks and food pantries.

That adds up to more than 3 million meals for Hoosier families.

Here are some butchers and local markets within the Michiana area participating:

Jaworski’s Market, 58413 Crumstown Hwy, South Bend.

Slabaugh Meat Processing, 72700 Co. Road 101, Nappanee.

Eastside Meats, 4666 US-20, LaPorte.

Bales Butcher Shop, 504 South Huntington Street, Syracuse.

Mishler Packing Company, 5680 W 100 N, LaGrange.

Martin’s Butchering Company, 27570 Co. Rd 42, Wakarusa.

For the complete list of stores and how you can make a donation, click HERE.