YEAH Program makes sixth annual donation to the Clark County Food Bank

On Sept. 4, the YEAH (Youth Efforts Against Hunger) Committee, along with 4-H and FFA members and local supporters in conjunction with the Clark County Junior Livestock Auction made their sixth annual donation to the Clark County Food Bank.

This year’s donation of 7,220 pounds of packaged meat was valued in excess of $50,000. This year, the YEAH Program received $20,530 in cash donations and 43 animals were contributed with a value at $2,884. This is a total of $23,414 in donations for 2012. The Clark County Food Bank reported that this is enough meat to add 3,500 meals for families in need in the Clark County area. The food bank estimates that this contribution is about a five-week supply of meat for the county food bank.

FFA and 4-H youth who raise livestock to sell at the Junior Livestock Auction work with the YEAH Committee members to solicit money from businesses and private donors. The money is put into a fund that pays for processing of the donated animals. If there are any remaining funds, the YEAH Committee purchases livestock that the buyers from the auction sent back for a support credit. In 2012, YEAH purchased and processed 56 animals at a cost of $16,500. This represented all the animals that were turned by the Junior Livestock Auction buyers for the support credit.

This program has been such a success that many 4-H and FFA youth will raise livestock in addition to their fair projects this next year to donate to the YEAH Program for the food bank. The 4-H and FFA youth also do many fundraisers during the year to raise money to support this program. The YEAH Committee is looking for additional interested businesses and individuals to help fund the growth of the program to a year-round basis.