Second protein giveaway planned in Wayne County

More than 1,000 pounds of meat were given away this month in Wayne County. It was made possible through a partnership between a local producer, the University of Missouri Extension and the Butler County Community Resource Council.

A second giveaway is planned June 23 in Piedmont.

The first was held May 12 in the Greenville City Park. Funding for the event was made possible through a U.S.D.A. grant, with a focus on acknowledging local producers who help with food security for the area.

Know-nut ‘N Ranch LLC, owned and operated by Jon and Leah Rainey, was the source for this meat give away. It included 256 bags, Each contained four individual 1-pound ground beef packages and four packages of chicken leg quarters.

The grant required a survey to provide the number of household members the bags would benefit, which came to a total of 625 people.

MU Southeast Field Specialist Kelley Brent coordinated the event.

“I couldn’t have done it without the many volunteers that stepped up,” stated Brent.

Donnie Robinson, David Snyder and others from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department helped set up cones and patrol the traffic to keep a safe, steady flow.

The staff at the local U.S.D.A. office helped with signs and paperwork used during the event.

MU specialists Jennifer Williams and Evan Holley helped man stations.

Wayne County Extension council members, Julie Gronski, with the help of her son, John, and Vinnie Clubb, interacted with the participants and conducted the grant survey.

Mike Allen of Greenville R-II came early and helped wherever he was needed. Wayne County YPA Davida Pedigo and daughter, Aleeha, bagged the frozen meat, then handed them to council members, Bev Brown, Shelby Henson and Sue Henry, with husband, Mike, who placed the meat and fliers in a second bag, ready to be handed out.

Extension office manager Fran Mann helped with the survey and took pictures of the operation.

Greenville Mayor Jason Hill helped coordinate the location of the give away then was present to help hand out the protein.

Wayne County NPA Judy Koehr had a table set up under the park pavilion to assist anyone who needed to fill out a SNAP application or wanted nutrition information. Chelsea Montgomery from the Community Action Center and Dorothy Casey from Clearwater Head Start handed out information.

Brent went on to say she was glad that MU Wayne County Extension could be a part of this endeavor for the citizens of Wayne County.

“Our mission is to help rural Missourians and we plan to continue looking for opportunities like this one,” Brent said.

Not all the details are complete for the second protein distribution June 23 in Piedmont but should be soon, according to officials.