The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA)’s Beef Drive for the Food Banks of Saskatchewan (FBS) got a boost this week—the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) kicked in $10,000 to the cause.
The SSGA launched the Beef Drive project in 2016. Since then, ranchers and others in the beef industry have donated nearly 30,000 lbs of beef and thousands of dollars to provide Saskatchewanians with good healthy food.
“We see it is just helping out our neighbours, it’s as simple as that,” said SSGA President Bill Huber. “The need has always been there, and with the COVID-19 pandemic there has been increased demand from families needing some help from their local food banks.”
“We greatly appreciate this generous donation from the SCA. It’s going to make a big difference for a lot of people.”
SCA Chair Arnold Balicki said that now more than ever it is important to remember that the most vulnerable need help and support.
“Saskatchewan beef producers hold the communities they live and work in close to their hearts,” Balicki said. “The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association is proud to partner with the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association with a $10,000 donation to help with the cost of processing the beef that is donated to Saskatchewan’s local food banks.
“During this pandemic, it is very important for us all to pull together to ensure everyone, including our most vulnerable, are looked after.”
The SSGA launched its first Beef Drive on World Food Day in the fall of 2016 as a way for beef producers to support Saskatchewan’s 32 food banks. Producers interested in donating an animal are encouraged to contact the SSGA office.
The meat is distributed as one-pound packs of frozen ground beef. “It’s top-quality nutritious food that’s easy to prepare at home,” Huber said. “And it’s perfect for feeding families because everybody likes it.”
Animal Donations
Producers interested in donating an animal to the Beef Drive are encouraged to contact the SSGA office at (306) 757-8523.
Meat Specifications
Any fresh/frozen meat food donations coming to the Food Bank must be processed through a registered abattoir, inspected and packaged to CFIA standards (labelled and dated)
Accepting 1 lb packages of regular or lean ground beef
Needs to be professionally processed & packaged
Temperature control must be maintained at temperatures of 4 degrees Celsius or colder and distributed in their original, unopened packaging.
Charitable Tax Receipts
Tax receipts will be issued by the Food Bank for any donations over $10.
Animal donations will be calculated based on the number of pounds of ground beef multiplied by the current fair market value.
