More Than Just a Food Drive: Drive to Feed Kids Grants Equip Young Leaders to Meet Community Needs
By: Erin Metzler -
Missouri agriculture feels called to address childhood food insecurity. Since 2017, the Drive to Feed Kids has raised and provided over 13 million meals to meet the needs of the one in seven Missouri children who regularly face hunger. But, equipped with resources from Missouri Farmers Care, Missouri youth are stepping up to make brighter days for families facing hunger.
In Agri-Ready Designated St. Francois county, the St. Francois County 4-H Club and MU Extension recently teamed up with Missouri Farmers Care Drive To Feed Kids and local organizations to provide a meal for 255 local community members, raise 65 pounds of canned goods and $173 in monetary donations for those in need.
Utilizing a $250 grant from Missouri Farmers Care Drive To Feed Kids, 55 4-H members and 17 leaders and volunteers prepared the meal utilizing the kitchen at St. Joseph Catholic Church and served the meal at the Bismark United Methodist Church. This was the first time the church partnered with anyone to provide a community meal. Community donations included supplies to prepare the meal and additional canned goods and monetary donations that were donated to community members in need.
"The kids loved it! I knew we had families in need out here but last night I really saw how big the need is in our area really is,” said Peggy T., 4-H club leader. “I've worked all over the country in volunteer programs and what I saw last night really opened my eyes to how bad it is out here."
In addition to addressing food insecurity and providing a nutritious meal to neighbors facing hunger, 4-H members learned about local community needs, healthy eating and cooking. During the event the students strengthened their community connections and developed their teamwork and communication skills.
Missouri Farmers Care is proud to partner with 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, CTE and collegiate organizations to provide grants to fight food insecurity across the state. Drive to Feed Kids Grant applications are opened annually in the fall with events happening late fall and throughout the spring semester. The Drive to Feed Kids is hosted annually by Missouri Farmers Care in partnership with ADM, Brownfield Ag News and leaders across Missouri agriculture.
