News

Midwest Food Bank delivers hay to North Carolina farmers

The CEO of the Midwest Food Bank says a unique donation is helping to replenish hay supplies in hurricane ravaged western North Carolina.

Eric Hodel tells Brownfield…

“A local central Illinois farmer said ‘Hey, I’ve got an excess hay crop, and I feel like I should be charitable and give to those that are in need rather than maybe just sell it.’”  He says, “And so, we had 650 round bales of alfalfa hay that were donated to help the folks in North Carolina.”

He says the 35 semi loads of hay have been welcomed by cattle and dairy farmers who were impacted.

“Just a great story of everybody teaming together to give back and serve farmers that just are just really devastated and kind of scrapping to survive for both their families, but also for their livestock,” he says.

Hodel says the agency is also sending large quantities of food to the region.

“We’re pretty experienced with the food piece of it.”  He says, “We have family food boxes, and pallets of food, and water, and drinks. So, we’ve mobilized about 30 semi loads of food down to that area.”

Hodel says the goal is to deliver all the hay by mid-December, and donations supporting the effort are still being accepted.  A link to learn more can be found HERE.

Midwest Food Bank is the largest food bank in the U.S., serving 23 states from 10 domestic locations. 

AUDIO: Eric Hodel – Midwest Food Bank