Mayor Chris Beutler has a challenge for the city of Lincoln: Donate 200 cans of SPAM to the needy, and he'll donate 200 cans, too.
DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 6:00 pm
Mayor Chris Beutler has a challenge for the city of Lincoln: Donate 200 cans of SPAM to the needy, and he’ll donate 200 cans, too.
Beutler announced his challenge during a press conference Tuesday to try to inspire Lincolnites to open their cupboards to the needy. He chose to highlight the quirky canned meat made in Austin, Minn., because he said it was one of his “favorite treats” as a child.
“As it turns out, canned meat in general is one of the top needs of the Food Bank,” he said. “As the slang term for unwanted e-mail, SPAM has kind of gotten a bad rap over the last few years. My hope is the Mayor’s SPAM Challenge will restore its good name in Lincoln and help to feed many hungry people this holiday season.”
Beutler’s staffers served diced SPAM and crackers at the press conference.
While some may smirk at SPAM, Food Bank Director Scott Young said a can of SPAM will be eaten and is appreciated by the more than 40,000 people who live below the poverty line in the 16 counties the Food Bank serves.
According to the Hormel Foods, the geniuses behind SPAM, the already-cooked meat can be fried, grilled, baked or zapped with a laser cannon.
Cans of SPAM — which sell for about $3 — can be dropped off at any city office, including the mayor’s office at 555 S. 10th St., or the F Street Rec Center. On Dec. 15, the cans will be counted, and Beutler said “(My wife) Judy and I will pony up.”
(Although he said his wife recommends people buy SPAM Lite.)
Young — who called himself a “SPAM Guy” too and joked that the ham and pork substance is “solid and gelatinous all at once” — decided spur-of-the-moment to kick in another 100 cans of SPAM, to match donations.
But seriously, he said local groups that serve the needy are seeing demand like never before.The Food Bank is on track to give out 4 million pounds of food, but there is demand for about 6 million, he said.
The number of students on free and reduced lunch is “up significantly,” he said.
People began lining up at 7 a.m. and formed a line two blocks long at one recent food giveaway, Young said.
Aside from canned meat, people also appreciate canned soup, canned fruit, Hamburger Helper, peanut butter and jeally and cereal.
And SPAM — when you’re hungry, you really appreciate it, Young said.
Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.