Last week, a friend of mine who works in the pork industry challenged me to participate in the #GiveAHam challenge.

Accepting the nomination, our task as a family is to donate a ham to a food pantry near us this holiday season.

This tradition is one that is encouraged each year by the Minnesota Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council. This year’s donations will be gifted to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The non-profit explains the fundraiser on its website saying, "During an extremely challenging year for so many, the commitment of American hog farmers to their communities has been on clear display, never wavering.

We have witnessed this first-hand with the Minnesota Pork Board and their generous donation this year of pork products to feed families.

“Now, the National Pork Producers Council is challenging you to give a ham to the House during the holiday season. Everyone loves a ham at the holidays and your donation will bring the smell and taste of home to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.”

Learn more about this fundraiser here.

Locally, we have purchased hams to gift to our local food pantry as we participate in the #GiveAHam challenge, and while we are at it, we will donate some milk, butter, cheese, eggs and beef, as well.

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Note, that when donating perishables and items that need refrigerated, it’s a good idea to call ahead of time to ensure your local facility has the storage space ready for your donation.

This year has been hard on so many people. With businesses closing, the loss of jobs, financial insecurities, illness and other hardships, this Christmas season could be a stressful and sad time for many families.

According to Feeding America, “In 2020, the novel coronavirus pandemic threatens the lives and livelihoods of people throughout the world. Before the crisis began, food insecurity in the U.S. was the lowest it had been in more than 20 years, and yet 35.2 million people, including 10.7 million children, we food insecure.

“The current crisis is likely to reverse the improvements that have occurred over the past decade as millions of people are newly experiencing food insecurity, alongside those who were experiencing food insecurity in 2020 because of COVID-19.”

Read more about the projected 2020 food insecurity rates by clicking here.

To address this growing problem in the United States, I challenge every single BEEF Daily reader to join me in battling food insecurity and warming the bellies of families who need a nutrient-dense meal this Christmas. Head to your local grocery store and stock up on nutrient-dense animal fats and proteins to gift to those who need it most this year.

Related:4 Ways To Fight Food Insecurity In America

Thanks to my friend, Jill Resler, for the inspiration. And thanks to our friends in then pork industry for this friendly reminder of one simple way we can impact our communities in a positive way while sharing our products for others to enjoy!

The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of beefmagazine.com or Farm Progress.