Project Protein is a program designed to source animals from the livestock industry to be processed into ground meat for food bank families. The project relies upon pork and beef donations from producers, farmers, ranchers, and feedlot operators. Through Project Protein, producers transport animals to participating abattoirs, where the program covers all processing costs, and producers receive a charitable tax receipt for the donation of the animal.

In 2014 Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge received approval and funding from the Community Initiatives Program offered through Alberta Culture to develop a Pilot Project to encourage donors from the livestock industry to donate animals for processing into ground beef and pork for food bank families.  We have now completed the grant funded Project Protein pilot project and were able to show success in our model for accepting livestock to be ground into protein for food bank distribution. The pilot program recruited 84 beef and 46 pork (for a total of 130 animals); issued over $167,000 in charitable tax receipts to donors;  and provided food banks with more than 39,000 pounds of ground beef for food bank families. All of these figures exceeded budget expectations in the grant application.

While grant funds have been depleted, all of the participating food banks have chosen to continue the program independently, and most abattoirs are continuing to honor discounted pricing for processing animals donated to food banks.

WAYS TO BE INVOLVED

DONATING LIVESTOCK

Livestock (cattle/pork) can be donated and will be processed at a participating Provincially Licensed Butcher/Abattoir and the processing fee will be covered by Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge, provided the animal meets inspection standards. Donors are entitled to a Charitable Tax Receipt for the fair market value of the dressed weight of the animal. To donate please connect with  Interfaith Food Bank at (403) 320 8779.

DONATION

A one-time monetary donation can be made to the Interfaith Food Bank in support of Project Protein. Approximate processing costs of an are $500 for cattle and $200 for pork. Donors can choose to cover the cost of processing a certain number of livestock of either beef or pork. In return for your generous donations you will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

SPONSORSHIP

Sponsoring a program or event is a great way to show your community support and a wonderful way to ensure we are able to offer the quality services we provide. While donations require that no strings are attached to a contribution and are therefore eligible for charitable tax receipts, sponsorships involve recognition for your gift, most often through display of a company logo at an event, on our website, signage or other print media. Funds can be donated through our website or can be dropped off at Interfaith Food Bank.

Method of Payment

• Cheque (Payable to Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge)
• Cash (Can be dropped off with form at Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge)
• Donate Online