INDIANAPOLIS – What started as a friendly wager between two neighboring states’ pork associations on the outcome of the recent Big 10 football championship game between Ohio State and Indiana University, has turned into a big win for everyone in the end – especially for those Hoosier families in need of high-quality protein during the holidays.

“Congratulations to the Indiana Hoosiers on their win over Ohio State,” said Josh Trenary, Indiana Pork’s executive director. “We are pleased to accept the $2,000 donation to our Hoosier Hogs to Homes program from the Ohio Pork Council. During this holiday season, we are thankful to be able to provide nutritious protein to those in need.”

The pork donation by the Ohio Pork Council should provide roughly 2,400 servings of pork to Hoosier families.

Receiving the donation on behalf of Indiana Pork was pork producer Jackie Bowman Ponder, of Greenwood, Ind., who serves on the Indiana Pork board of directors as well as the National Pork Producers Council’s board of directors. “Indiana pig farmers are passionate about feeding our neighbors,” Ponder said. “We know how great the need is around the holiday season so we are excited that the Ohio Pork Council wanted to make this friendly bet and the IU Hoosiers came out as the winner!”

Clark Jordan, an Ohio pig farmer from Eaton who serves on the Ohio Pork Council board of directors, said, “The goal is to help ensure our communities are getting the assistance they need in terms of protein and we’re happy to do our part to make it happen. It’s a great feeling to know that we’re helping out families on both sides of the state line, which definitely helps ease any bruised egos after the big game.”