Missouri Farmers Care, along with agricultural leaders and partners, marked the culmination of the 2023 Drive to Feed Kids campaign at the Missouri State Fair. This initiative aimed to combat food insecurity in the state, which affects one in seven Missouri children and up to one in three in rural areas. Over the past eight years, the Drive has raised resources to provide over twelve million meals to children and families in need.
The campaign involved various activities throughout the year, with Missouri's agricultural youth programs actively participating. Missouri 4-H members raised resources to provide 711,286 meals, while on Missouri FFA Day of Service, members and leaders packed 160,000 family meals at the Missouri State Fair. Additional support came from Missouri 4-H clubs and FFA chapters.
Protein, being the most requested item by food banks, led to the Hogs for Hunger initiative, where swine exhibitors and producers donated 33,371 servings of pork. These contributions are distributed statewide through Feeding Missouri, an association of the state's six regional food banks.
The campaign also involved fairgoers, who participated in the Missouri Farmers Care $2 Tuesday at the Missouri State Fair by donating non-perishable food items and money. Missouri FFA contributed fresh produce from student projects, and elected and agricultural leaders packed meal boxes, resulting in resources for 60,900 meals.
The Drive to Feed Kids campaign, supported by numerous organizations and individuals, concluded with a total impact of 1,200,389 meals raised for Feeding Missouri. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that children in Missouri have access to nutritious food.
The campaign, initiated in 2017, continues to build partnerships among non-profit organizations, farmers, and agricultural businesses dedicated to addressing food insecurity in Missouri.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: Missouri, Business, General, Livestock, Hogs