In Orange County, Feeding America estimates that 13% of our neighbors struggle with food insecurity. We are lucky to have many nonprofit organizations, houses of worship, and partner agencies of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina actively working every day to address this huge community challenge. While our local food pantries and partner agencies work tirelessly, they face a consistent, expensive obstacle: limited access to affordable, high-quality protein.

As the Orange County Extension Agent for Food Security with N.C. Cooperative Extension, I have seen this gap firsthand. Today, I am inviting you to help us build a bridge through a unique partnership that supports both our local youth and our neighbors in need.

This April marks the 80th anniversary of the Central Piedmont Junior Livestock Show & Sale (go.ncsu.edu/piedmontlivestockshow). For eight decades, 4-H and FFA youth from Orange and eleven nearby counties have raised and exhibited livestock for this annual show, learning the values of ethical animal husbandry, communication, teamwork, and dedication.

This year, we want to show these young leaders that their hard work can stay right here in Orange County to feed their fellow community members who are facing hunger.

Our Goal: The Pork-to-Pantry Project

We are seeking support from individuals, families, and businesses to purchase 6 to 10 market hogs from students at the upcoming show April 7-8 in Hillsborough.

Here is how your donation works in a circle of support:

1. Support Youth: We purchase hogs at market price from local students (many from Orange High School’s FFA Chapter), providing them with funds to reinvest in their next agricultural project or future academic endeavors.
2. Community Partnership: Orange County Government has generously agreed to cover all livestock processing fees.
3. Feeding Neighbors: The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina will distribute the meat once processed—approximately 115–130 pounds per hog—directly to Orange County pantries. If this project is fully funded, we can distribute up to 1300 pounds of local meat!

By donating, you aren’t just helping us buy livestock; you are providing hundreds of pounds of high-protein meat to local families for just $1.92 per pound!

• $250 (Full Hog Sponsor): Provides up to 130 lbs of meat to local pantries.
• $125 (Half Hog Sponsor): Provides up to 65 lbs of meat to local pantries.
• Any Amount: Every dollar goes directly toward the provision of protein for food security efforts.

How to Give

To ensure we know how many market hogs we can purchase at the auction, please submit your donation by March 25.

• Online: Visit the Orange County Community Giving Fund webpage at www.orangecountync.gov/1649/Community-Giving-Fund. Click “Donation Options” and select “Orange County Food Security Program” under Cooperative Extension.
• By Mail: Make check payable to Orange County and mail it to Orange County Finance and Administrative Services, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Please write “Community Giving Fund- Orange County Food Security Donation” in the memo line.

All gifts are tax-deductible and used for the purpose for which they are given and acknowledged as such. In appreciation of your support, sponsors will be announced during the Central Piedmont Junior Livestock Show live auction on April 8 and in local press releases. With your help, we look forward to a successful inaugural year—and to expanding this program in the future to include the purchase of beef, chevon, and lamb.

Download a print copy of this letter here.