GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU) — According to Feeding America, one in seven people in Michigan is experiencing food insecurity.
In a continued effort to help as many people as possible, Project Feed the Kids, a nonprofit in Traverse City, gave out meat to the community Monday.
Typically the nonprofit gives away 500 pounds of meat at the giveaways, but Monday they unintentionally doubled it. But Project Feed the Kids says it’s a good thing they did.
“We got ready today and I went and picked up the meat, and when I got there and I picked it up, I didn’t realize how much we actually had until they started loading the pallets,” said Tiffany McQueer, the President of Project Feed the Kids. “At 500 pounds that would’ve helped x amount of families, but now at well over 1,000 pounds, that’s gonna help so many more families.”
More families indeed. Project Feed the Kids says Monday’s event had the most people in line they’ve seen since starting the giveaways four years ago.
“I feel wonderful that I can help people,” said Audrey Landfeld, a volunteer with Project Feed the Kids. “When you see that line, it’s kind of sad that so many people are out there in the world that need the help, but we’re here 100% to help as much as we can.”
Tiffany McQueer said 150 families were fed, all in just four minutes.
Those in need were able to grab a bag of frozen meat; no reservations necessary and no questions asked.
The meat is donated from Grand Traverse County 4-H and the Northwestern Michigan Fair.
“People will purchase animals and then they will donate all the meat back to Project Feed the Kids,” said McQueer. “So it’s a fantastic donation for our nonprofit for sure.”
One community member who was in line said this giveaway comes at a good time.
“Things like meat, it’s hard to come by,” said the community member. “So this kind of thing, when I see it on Facebook or online or someone sends me a text about it, I’m jumping in my car immediately and I’m getting here soon as possible because it’s that much of a priority. It’s that much of an opportunity.”
Project Feed the Kids does a meat giveaway about three times a year, McqQeer said those giveaways aren’t just opportunities to help those in need, but to inspire others to do some good.
“We do get to know these families with all the programs that we do,” said McQueer. “We get a sense of knowing them and it’s always nice to be able to see them again and they do turn into volunteers as well. There’s a lot of families that come back when they no longer need help and they turn into volunteers. So it’s an amazing program.”
As Project Feed the Kids volunteers continue to help out these families, McQueer said they could use more donations.
You can donate here.
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