MEAT COMING TO FOOD PANTRY IN MONROE CITY

Hannibal, Mo. – In 2019, United Way of the Mark Twain Area launched Aly’s Project:

Youth Feeding the Needy in an effort to provide young people an avenue to tackle food

insecurity in their communities.

Through Aly’s Project, 4H and FFA youth who raise livestock are able to donate their

livestock projects at the conclusion of fair season to local food pantries and senior

centers. Funding from Aly’s Project pays for the processing of the donated animals at a

local butcher shop.

This year Mya Gottman, daughter of Jamie and Megan Gottman of Rural Monroe City,

and Taylor Gottman, daughter of Tim and Lennie Gottman of Rural Monroe City, both

chose to donate their market goats to the Monroe City Food Pantry after the Marion

County Fair.

Devyn Timbrook who volunteers to manage the Monroe City Food Pantry knows the

value of this meat. The pantry has been heavily relied upon in the wake of the economic

crisis caused by COVID-19. They have seen a drastic increase in the number of

individuals turning to them for help.

“We will be able to supply more families with meat to put on their tables,” Timbrook

shared. “The generosity of these two young ladies is greatly appreciated.”

At the Marion County Junior Fair Livestock Sale, John Poole owner of Lumley Locker in

LaBelle, Mo. learned that these two girls would be donating their projects through Aly’s

Project to a local food pantry. He stepped up to donate the processing of the animals.

“At United Way, our tagline is Live United,” Denise Damron, Executive Director at the

United Way of the Mark Twain Area said. “How this project came together is a direct

example of what it means to Live United. All individuals were working together for the

common good. It has been great to watch this donation come to fruition.”

Additional livestock projects donations are pending from other area youth. Those

donations will be announced once those donations come to fruition.