The Canadian Foodgrains Bank has an idea for schools and youth groups that are looking to replace stale fundraisers such as selling chocolate almonds and magazines: sell ground beef.
The bank’s beef project began last year in southeastern Manitoba, said John Voth, who is heading it this year.
Cattle producer Harold Penner came up with the idea of donating a beef animal, processing it and selling the meat to raise money for foreign projects. He convinced Plains Processors in Carman, Man., to kill the animals for cost and had the beef ground and wrapped into bundles of 10 one-pound packages that groups could sell for $20.
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Five dollars goes to the processor, $5 to the fundraising group and $10 to the foodgrains bank for its overseas projects.
The farmer receives a charitable tax deduction receipt for the market value of his animal.
Voth hopes other parts of the Prairies will develop similar projects, but there are two stipulations:
- Producers are encouraged to work with local businesses to avoid transporting their animals long distances.
- Producers can donate only animals that they would eat themselves.
Forty-eight head were donated last year and more are wanted this year because demand is stronger than supply.
“In southeast Manitoba, we have problems getting the meat,” Voth said. “We have lots of schools offering to do fundraisers.”
The foodgrains bank is a Christian food aid and development organization that collects donations of grain, cash and other agricultural commodities for distribution to the world’s hungry.
It is owned by 13 Canadian churches that work with international partners to ensure food goes where it is intended.
For more information, visit www.foodgrainsbank.ca or call Penner at 204-347-5351.
