Jefferson City, Mo — Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, founders of “Protect The Harvest” (PTH), are joining the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation (MFCF) Drive to Feed Kids initiative to fill the void for those facing childhood food insecurity, while simultaneously increasing awareness about Missouri agriculture. This is the seventh year of the Drive, which has raised resources for over 11 million meals since 2017.

According to Feeding America, one in seven Missouri children are food insecure and face uncertainty as to where their next meal may come from. More than 715,000 Missourians faced food insecurity in Missouri according to the most recent data.

“Farmers and ranchers work 365 days a year to produce abundance from our farms and ranches,” said Ashley McCarty, MFCF executive director. “The Drive to Feed Kids addresses disconnects where that abundance doesn’t reach our neighbors’ dinner tables. We are again heartened by the generosity of Forrest and Charlotte Lucas and Protect The Harvest for their support of the Drive to Feed Kids for a seventh year.”

“A Protect The Harvest priority is to help ensure Americans have access to safe, nutritious, affordable and abundant food and we are delighted to again support the Hogs for Hunger initiative in Missouri,” stated Charlotte Lucas. “Properly nourishing Missouri children is important for the state’s future and it’s the right thing to do. Forrest and I appreciate the opportunity to help fulfill this mission through Missouri Farmers Care.”

The 2023 Drive to Feed Kids kicked off in January with the 4-H Feeding Missouri initiative. Missouri 4-H members raised 711,268 meals through events in their communities. Missouri Farmers Care Foundation’s Drive to Feed Kids continues food security efforts throughout the summer. 

Food banks consistently report that protein is the most requested item for families. Through the partnership’s Hogs for Hunger initiative, swine exhibitors and producers are invited to commit pigs to feed neighbors in need. Up to 50 pigs will be accepted at the Missouri State Fair with Feeding Missouri providing reimbursement of $0.80 per pound for committed hogs. MFCF will cover processing of these hogs. State Fair exhibitors can indicate their commitment at www.MOFarmersCare.com/drive. In addition, throughout the year, Missouri pig farmers are invited to donate pigs to a Missouri food bank. With the generosity of supporters such as Forrest and Charlotte Lucas and Missouri agricultural organizations, MFCF pays processing costs for pork donated to meet the needs of food insecure neighbors. 

Drive to Feed Kids activities at the Missouri State Fair continue on Aug. 15 when more than 700 FFA members and agriculture leaders will pack over 150,000 meals on Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive $2 Tuesday. On Governor’s, Legislators’ & Judges’ Day, state and agriculture leaders will join together to assemble meal boxes to be distributed to families in need. All Drive to Feed Kids donations are distributed through Feeding Missouri, the association of Missouri’s six regional food banks.

Drive to Feed Kids was launched in 2017, with the goal of building collaborative partnerships among non-profit organizations, farmers and agricultural businesses committed to addressing food insecurity in Missouri. To learn more about Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, the Drive to Feed Kids, and Hogs for Hunger visit www.MOFarmersCare.com/drive.