Colby Ingram, owner of I7 Meat and Cattle Co., has set up a program to offer a bundle of various meat cuts and some pantry staples to families around the northern Nevada area that are in need of some additional support.
“Reading the Facebook posts I saw people looking for help, for other products, not necessarily meat," said Ingram, "and it just kinda hit me. With people losing jobs and what not, if they are going without things like TP and such, they gotta be having trouble getting meat.” So, he decided to throw the idea of offering some extra support out on Facebook and see if anyone contacted them with a need for assistance.
“I didn’t expect it to blow up like this, which is a good thing, a great thing,” he said. Before they were able to get the first few bundles out, Korey and Shaun King offered to split the cost for a half of beef (about a $1,000 value for a half of beef). That beef half was processed into smaller bundles (a bundle has about $70-$80 worth of meat in it) so that more families were able to receive some assistance. Other residents have come by and donated a $100 here and there. Whatever is donated is matched by I7 Meat and Cattle Co. Cori Eggers, owner of Country Club Café, donates a variety of different pantry staples weekly to add to the bundles. Local resident, Jessica Huckabee, stopped by one day and donated a bunch of Easter baskets to add to the bundles for families with kids. Isidro Alves, owner of Sand Hill Dairy, has been offering the use of his van for deliveries. Chris and Patty Ceresola donated money for families that need help. Support has also come from community members asking to not be identified.
With his great crew working long hours right now and various students offering to come in to help out on a part-time basis, this family owned business is working at top speed. Colby shared, “We are fortunate to have local product and a good supplier on the retail stuff, so the business has plenty of product.” Workers are tired and greatly hope that everyone can be understanding that as a small family owned business with bundles to make up and delivery, online orders to fill, and custom work to get completed, they are putting things together as quickly as they can. Colby added in some appreciative praise for his mother, LouAnn, for all her help. She is in the shop after her own job and on the weekends helping with what needs to be finished. His family has been wonderful in understanding that his time at home is being cut short right now.
Even though schedules are crazy with all this and trying to please the paying customers as well, Colby said, “The only downfall right now is that we can’t get it out fast enough. We are trying our best. But it is completely worth it.” At this point they have put out about 20 bundles to families in need. “I had a lady cry when she opened the door and I gave it to her. That right there was all I needed. It was perfect. Just the appreciation does it for me.” Regularly scheduled deliveries are going out all over northern Nevada, from Hawthorne to Elko. Some of these deliveries might also include a few bundles for families in those areas that are in need as well. Customer can also schedule pick-ups at the business, just please call ahead.
“Everyone is pitching in. We are all gonna get through this. This community has been wonderful; it always has been, always will be. We pull together in times like this. And it’s all gonna work out; we take care of each other and that’s kinda what matters,” Colby said a very genuine tone.
If anyone knows of a family that could use some extra support, please contact Colby. Call in and give them some basic information such as name, address, how many in the family. As soon as the bundles are ready, they will be delivered to the homes.
Anyone in the community who would like to help can contact Colby. Call the office at 775-423-2424, message the business on Facebook, or contact them online at www.I7Meat.com . There are many different ways to support this program: donations of goods are welcome, all monetary donations are welcome and are matched by 17 Meat, and help with deliveries is also welcomed.
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