Seventeen Missouri 4-H clubs have been awarded 4-H Feeding Missouri grants through the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. This is the second year the Foundation has provided grants for Missouri 4-H clubs to fund local food security efforts.

“The grants distributed last year had an exponential impact in the lives of kids raising resources and those receiving assistance," Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, explained. "We are honored to help equip Missouri 4-H families to live out their 4-H pledge committing their "hands to larger service". The commitment of partners in the Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids presented by ADM and Brownfield Ag News prepares Missouri youth to do good in their communities."

The 4-H clubs receiving up to $250 matching grants are:

• Alma 4-H Club, Alma
• Boone County Junior 4-H Council, Columbia
• Clever Clovers, Rayville
• Cooper County 4-H, Boonville
• East Center 4-H Club, Kirksville
• Evening Star 4-H Club, St. James
• Knox County 4-H Council, Edina
• Millville 4-H Club, Richmond
• ·Mighty Eagles 4-H Club, Fordland
• Moniteau County 4-H Council, California
• Morgan County 4-H Council, Versailles
• Northland Career Center Community Education 4-H SPIN Clubs, Platte City
• Perry County 4-H Teen Council, Perryville
• Pettis County 4-H, Sedalia
• Pocahontas 4-H Club, Jackson
• Shooting Stars 4-H, Springfield
• University of Missouri Extension, Ste. Genevieve

Missouri Farmers Care Foundation’s Drive to Feed Kids and 4-H Feeding Missouri join forces annually to raise resources and awareness addressing needs faced by food insecure families. During the spring effort, Missouri 4-H clubs compete in a friendly competition by having food drives, collecting monetary donations, and volunteering their time in local food pantries. The partnership is a fight against hunger in our state and allows youth the opportunity to pledge their service to their communities.

The 4-H Feeding Missouri Drive to Feed Kids matching grants are available to 4-H clubs and groups that service-learning projects focused on the 4-H Feeding Missouri and Drive to Feed Kids mission. The projects raise matching funds or make in-kind contributions between January 1 and Aril 30.

“Each year I am excited to see the hard work and creativity put forth by our 4-H’ers to help others in their communities, says Lupita Fabregas, Director of Missouri 4-H. “The most important part of our campaign is to educate our families and communities about food insecurity."

More than three quarters of a million meals have been raised over the last three years by 4-H clubs across Missouri. Last year, 356,665 meals were raised by Missouri 4-H clubs; Cass County 4-H won the friendly competition by raising resources for 53,104 meals. In total, last year’s Drive to Feed Kids donated 2,015,088 meals.

The 4-H Feeding Missouri competition concludes April 30, but 2022 Drive to Feed Kids events are just getting started. The Drive to Feed Kids will pay processing for pork donations made by pork producers and exhibitors throughout the year. Activities at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia will commence with 4-H members packing meal kits on Farm Family Day. On Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday and Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day, hundreds of FFA members will pack over 150,000 meals. During Governor’s, Legislators’ & Judges’ Day, state and agriculture leaders will join together to assemble food kits for food insecure students and families.

Missouri Farmers Care Foundation invites companies and individuals to join in the Drive to Feed Kids. To partner with MFC to benefit the Drive to Feed Kids, contact Ashley McCarty at ashley@mofarmerscare.com. Drive sponsorship details and a giving link can be found at www.mofarmerscare.com/drive. All proceeds will be directed to Feeding Missouri network food banks who work daily to alleviate childhood hunger.

###

MISSOURI FARMERS CARE

Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri's agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our communities depend. The coalition of more than 45 leading Missouri agricultural groups promotes the growth of Missouri agriculture and rural communities through coordinated communication, education, and advocacy. www.MOFarmersCare.com.

MISSOURI FARMERS CARE FOUNDATION

Missouri Farmers Care Foundation enables Missourians to understand the influence and importance of agriculture in their daily lives by serving as the centralized hub of the unified educational programs, awards, and hunger relief efforts of Missouri’s agricultural community. www.MOFarmersCare.com