TRAVERSE CITY -- A homemade, nutritious meal can go a long way and the Goodwill Inn in Traverse City wants to makes sure all families have that.

Goodwill Inn is kicking off a campaign called "Fill the Freezer."

Officials want to pack their new walk-in freezer with as much fresh, local meat as possible from Northwest Michigan's 4-H livestock.

The auction isn't until August 12,  but you don't have to wait until then to donate fresh food.  DTE Energy donated $2,500 to help kick-off this year's fill the freezer program.

"Last year the DTE energy foundation, the Olson Foundation and Traverse City Light and Power really helped us put in a new walk-in freezer so that we could accept donations of meat which we've never been able to do before," explained Ruth Blick with Goodwill Inn.

The program is expected to provide meals for more than 700 families.   You can buy meat at the auction and donate it, or you can help support 4-H participants.

If you donate meat you can receive a tax credit for the value.