Today’s story is proof help for needy families doesn’t have to come from the government. I’m Jeff Keane; stick around for this short break, and then I’ll give you a few details.

Not all help that is given to needy families is from the government or well-known charitable organizations. This effort to help people down on their luck is strictly a grassroots movement. When I say grassroots I really mean it,  since these generous gestures starts with the Montana Cattlemen’s Association’s (MCA) Charitable Foundation. The idea is to place Montana beef on the plates of those in need and we all know how tied to the soil and grass beef production is. As of this time nearly fifty head of cattle have been donated to the Foundation and right at $20,000 in cash donations to help with meat processing costs. To date, these 100 percent tax-deductible contributions have resulted in over 78,000 meals furnished to needy families. The MCA’s Charitable Foundation administers the program at no cost and Montana Cattlemen’s Association members donate feed to care for cattle gifted to the effort. Just to show how a good idea just gets better I can tell you many of Montana’s small beef processing facilities have contributed $2,600 in fees and union members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 400 at Colstrip, Montana each donated one hour of their wages providing another $3,625. To me this is the American way of neighbor helping neighbor. I’m Jeff Keane.

Western Ag Reporter 2/5/09