Youth Organizations Awarded Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids Grants to Address Local Hunger
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Recognizing the need for hunger relief in Missouri communities, the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation has awarded grants to youth organizations working to address food insecurity in their communities. Through the Drive to Feed Kids matching grant program, Missouri FFA chapters, 4-H clubs, collegiate organizations and career and technical education programs are empowered to lead local hunger-relief efforts.
“One in six Missouri children and families regularly face hunger,” said Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. “The Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids, presented in partnership with ADM and Brownfield Ag News, equips young people to meet the needs they see in their communities.”
Drive to Feed Kids matching grants range from $200 to $750 and are awarded to organizations that raise matching funds and secure in-kind contributions to expand their local hunger-relief projects. Through these partnerships, youth organizations help provide food and resources to neighbors facing food insecurity while developing leadership and service skills along the way.
Missouri FFA Chapters Awarded 2027 Drive to Feed Kids Grants
- Atlanta FFA & FCCLA, Atlanta
- Ava FFA, Ava
- Cabool FFA, Cabool
- Cass Career FFA, Harrisonville
- Centralia FFA, Centralia
- Chadwick FFA, Chadwick
- Dora FFA, Dora
- Glendale FFA, Springfield
- Grandview FFA, Hillsboro
- Halfway FFA, Halfway
- Knox County FFA, FCCLA, & Students Council, Edina
- Mexico FFA, Mexico
- Nixa FFA, Nixa
- North Shelby FFA & NHS, Shelbyville
- Pleasant Hill FFA, Pleasant Hill
- Rolla FFA, Rolla
- Seymour FFA, Seymour
- Trenton FFA, Trenton
- Washington FFA, Washington
- West Platte FFA, Weston
“As the FFA Vision is, ‘Growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world,’ our vision creates an atmosphere for our members to ‘Live to Serve’ empowering them to ‘change the world’, said Jeff Voris, Missouri Agriculture Education Director and State FFA Advisor. “This partnership with Missouri Farmers Cares allows our members to be world changers by serving their communities. Thank you, Missouri Farmers Care for empowering our members. Missouri communities are better because of this partnership.”
Missouri 4-H Clubs Awarded 2027 Drive to Feed Kids Grants
- City Clover 4-H, Lamar
- Elkhorn 4-H, Warrenton
- Farley Jolly Workers 4-H, Weston
- Greene County 4-H, Springfield
- Guys and Gals 4-H, Lawson
- Happy Helpers 4-H, Linn
- Jasper County 4-H, Carthage
- Lawson 4-H & FFA, Lawson
- Lucky Clovers 4-H, Garden City
- Lucky Star 4-H & Keytesville FCCLA, Keytesville
- Mighty Eagles 4-H, Fordland
- Miller County 4-H Extension Council, Tuscumbia
- Osage County 4-H Council, Linn
- Patton 4-H, Marquand
- Pleasant Valley Pioneers 4-H, Webb City
- Prairie View 4-H, Warrenton
- Rockin’ River 4-H Club & Elsberry FFA, Elsberry
- Shooting Stars 4-H, Harrisonville
- Sunshine Kids 4-H, Unionville
- Warren County 4-H Council, Warrenton
- Warren County 4-H Teen Leaders, Warrenton
- Zion 4-H, Bunceton
“The Missouri 4-H program trains youth to build thriving communities across the state,” said Tim Tanner, Missouri 4-H senior program director. “Thriving starts with helping everyone meet their basic needs. Through the Drive to Feed Kids, youth are leading the way toward a brighter future for all.”
Collegiate and Career and Technical Education Organizations Awarded 2027 Drive to Feed Kids Grants
- Brunswick FBLA, Brunswick
- Cameron DECA, Cameron
- Carrollton Area Career Center Skills USA, Carrollton
- Grand River Area Family YMCA, Inc., Carrollton
“Grant funded projects begin this month, meeting needs now, through the holidays, and through the coming year,” continued McCarty. “Missouri farmers and ranchers are dedicated to delivering abundance from our farms and fields. Agriculture is honored to play a small part in the big effort of reducing hunger. These grants help youth impact the lives of children and families facing hunger, bringing hope and brighter days for our neighbors.”
The Drive will host events throughout the year, culminating at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. 4-H Feeding Missouri will begin statewide January 1 and will continue through April 30. During Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday and Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day on August 17, thousands of meals will be packed for those in need. In 2026, the Drive to Feed Kids program raised more than 825,000 meals.
The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids is made possible through the generous support of Missouri agriculture and business partners, including: ADM, Brownfield Ag News, American Family Insurance, Missouri FQHC Rural Health Network, Show-Me America 250, Nutra-Blend, MFA Incorporated, FCS Financial, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, The Poultry Federation, Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation, Smithfield Foods, Missouri Farm Bureau, Martin Rice, Missouri FFA Foundation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Hunter’s Moon Run N Gun, Home State Health, Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives, PivotBio, Beck’s Hybrids, Missouri 4-H Foundation, Missouri Pork, and the Missouri State Fair Foundation.
Organizations and individuals interested in supporting the Drive to Feed Kids can find more information and a donation link at www.mofarmerscare.com/drive. The Drive To Feed Kids is partnered with Feeding Missouri, a coalition of Missouri’s six food banks working to alleviate hunger across the state.