A Howard County teen has sacrificed his 300-pound prize pig to help those who are hungry.
Jim Moxley, 15, of West Friendship, a 10th-grader at Glenelg Country School, recently allowed the pig to be “taken to market” and distributed to the Howard County Food Bank.
“It really means a lot to our customers — they were excited when they heard it was donated like this,” said Yolanda Sykes, coordinator of the food bank.
“We don’t get a lot of fresh meat or even produce like that.”
The food bank used 174 pounds of the pig’s meat for products such as Italian sausage, spare ribs and pork chops.
Jim, who participates in the local 4-H program, had shown the pig at the previous county and state fairs, and the animal placed in the top five for its class in both contests.
Jim, along with David Weeks, a humanities teacher and the school’s coordinator of community services, then decided to give the pig to the local food bank.
“I had a pig we weren’t able to find a buyer for it,” Jim said. “And I just asked Mr. Weeks if there was anything we could do. It’s not hard. You just call the food bank and tell them what you have.”
Jim also is active in the community by taking part in Camp Hope, a cause similar to Habitat for Humanity, where he aids in refurbishing homes in western Howard County and nearby areas.
“It’s wonderful to have a leader like Jim championing the cause and using his resources to help the community in need, which will encourage other 4-Hers to do the same,” Weeks said.
The food bank typically serves up to 25 low-income families or individuals on its distribution days, which are set up like miniature markets, Sykes said. Customers can shop for items including fresh produce, canned goods, bread, butter and milk.
Each customer is allowed to come in once a month. Supplies are usually unlimited, unless the food bank is short on goods.
FOOD BANK HOURS
The Howard County Food Bank is at 8920 Route 108, Suite A, in Columbia, It operates from 1 to 6 p.m. Mondays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
