Project Protein is a program designed to source animals from the livestock industry to be processed into ground meat for low-income community members who rely on Interfaith Food Bank. 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. Financial donations to support the processing costs are also gratefully accepted.
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. We may be able to accept shoot and bleed animals, please connect with the abattoir directly.
How Do you Donate Livestock?
- Contact a participating abattoir from the list below to arrange a drop-off date for your livestock, and provide your contact information.
- Confirm who will be covering processing fees — you or Interfaith Food Bank.
- The abattoir will notify Interfaith Food Bank directly once the processed meat is ready.
- You will receive a charitable tax receipt for the fair market value of the dressed weight of the animal and/or processing fees covered.
To learn more please connect with Interfaith Food Bank at (403) 320 8779.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
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.
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 brought into Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge)
- Donate Online
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.
For more information please connect with Interfaith Food Bank at (403) 320 8779.
PARTICIPATING ABATTOIRS:
PROGRAM HISTORY:
In 2014, Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge received approval and funding from the Community Initiatives Program through Alberta Culture to launch Project Protein — a pilot project designed to encourage donors from the livestock industry to donate animals for processing into ground beef and pork for food bank families.
What began as a pilot has grown into an enduring program. The original grant-funded phase demonstrated clear success: 84 beef and 46 pork animals (130 total) were donated; more than $167,000 in charitable tax receipts were issued to donors; and food banks received over 39,000 pounds of ground beef — all figures that exceeded the original grant application projections.
Since then, Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge has continued Project Protein independently, sustaining the program through community support and the ongoing generosity of local livestock donors. Most abattoirs have continued to honor discounted processing rates for donated animals. What was once a pilot is now a proven, long-standing model for connecting Alberta’s agricultural community with families in need — and it continues to make a meaningful difference to this day.