Warren County 4-H: Proactive 4-H Group Shows How To Combat Food Insecurity With Education
An annual Warren County hunger simulation helps 4-H Teen Leaders build a mature perspective of food insecurity in their communities. These young leaders host an educational Hunger Dinner because they understand that food drive donations alone will not solve the problem of food insecurity. As partners of Missouri Farmers Care’s Drive to Feed Kids through 4-H Feeding Missouri, these youth leaders are encouraged to think critically and craft solutions to address local food security needs and increase civic education to address the long-term issue. "The Hunger Dinner is important because it brings awareness to the public about food insecurity in our community,” says Isaac, a Warren County 4-H Teen Leader. “It educates on how participants can make a difference."
Becoming Collaborative Partners
In February, Warren County 4-H Teen Leaders hosted the second annual Hunger Dinner. The immersion experience was made possible through 2025 Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids grants and collaboration with County 4-H Teen Leaders, County 4-H Council, and Warren County Extension. Seventy-five community guests joined 4-H members and their families in a role-play representation of food security disparity in Warren County. This event is a component of the county 4-H program’s ‘4-H Feeding Missouri’ campaign. “A great event!” says Franci, a community member and food pantry volunteer.
What is a Hunger Dinner?
Each diner drew a role-play persona. Fifty percent of attendees represented low-income people, 20 percent represented middle-income people, 20 percent represented high-income people, and the final 10 percent represented ‘in-between-income-level’ people. This distribution reflected the population demographics of Warren County. Each attendee received a common meal for their assigned role. The high-income group was served lasagna, salad, bread, cake, milk, tea, and lemonade. People in the middle-income group received two slices of pizza each and lemonade served family style. Attendees in the low-income group served themselves a hot dog, bread, catsup, and water.
Making the Connection
Warren County 4-H Teen Leaders led an educational discussion among dinner guests about how the disproportionate meals made them feel. Following the discussion everyone enjoyed the open buffet which included meat, cheese and veggie trays, salad, bread, lasagna, cake, cookies, and beverages. “I thought this was a good event. I felt bad eating so nicely while others only had a hotdog. I was thankful when everyone was invited to enjoy the buffet,” says Julie, a 4-H parent and upper-class diner.
Inviting the Community
“It was such an honor to collaborate with the Warren County 4-H groups as they learned about food insecurity in our community and how it affects families,” says Michelle Bernth, Executive Director of AGAPE and keynote speaker for the event. “The kids who participated in the Hunger Dinner were engaged in the activities, asked smart questions and the teen leaders led a great discussion. Our local 4-H clubs are obviously creating this community’s next generation of leaders.” Michelle also led an interactive activity and discussion to educate Hunger Dinner guests. “It was great. Educational for sure. I liked learning how AGAPE works for our community,” shares Carrie, a 4-H club leader.
More About AGAPE: is a non-profit 501(c)3 that serves more than 3,000 families in Warren County, Missouri with a variety of programs, primarily serving individuals and families who are facing food insecurity. AGAPE was founded in 1996 by a group of concerned people representing area churches, businesses and community groups who wanted to create a central place for Warren County residents to come for aid. The agency is funded through a combination of private donations, public grants and proceeds from AGAPE Thrift.
Leadership Roles
Advisor, Ashley Anderson, guides the twelve Teen Leader hosts who represent various Warren County 4-H clubs. These teen members plan the entire event, emcee, lead the community discussion, set up, cook, serve, and clean up. “The Hunger Dinner is our county’s largest community service project each year. Our members are proud of their annual food security campaign,” says Maureen Michel, Warren County 4-H Program Associate.
4-H Feeding Missouri in Warren County
Warren County 4-H members from nine community clubs participate in ‘4-H Feeding Missouri’ annually. The groups collect food donations each month of the campaign and youth learn that everyone can make a difference, no matter their age. The club that brings in the most donations per member is awarded a pizza and movie party sponsored by Warren County Extension. AGAPE received donations from the Warren County 4-H Teen Leaders, Prairie View 4-H Club, Rolling Stones 4-H Club, and Elkhorn 4-H Club during the Hunger Dinner. Local food pantries at St. Vincent Du Paul, Anchor House, Wright City Community Food Pantry, Southern Warren County Food Pantry, and other organizations will continue to receive donations from Warren County 4-H clubs throughout the remainder of the campaign.
Join the Drive!
The Drive to Feed Kids offers every Missourian an opportunity to make a difference for neighbors in need. Missouri Farmers Care Foundation invites companies, organizations, and individuals to join presenting partners ADM and Brownfield Ag News, American Family Insurance, MFA Incorporated, Nutra Blend, FCS Financial, Missouri Corn, Missouri FFA Foundation and ag organizations, farmers, and ranchers as partners of the Drive to Feed Kids. Details and a giving link are found at mofarmerscare.com/drive/. All donations support the Drive including grants for local projects, Hogs for Hunger, FFA Day of Service meal packing and the efforts of the Feeding Missouri network of food banks who work daily to alleviate hunger.
What is #4HFeedingMo?
4-H Feeding Missouri is an annual initiative (January-April) that brings awareness to the issue of food insecurity, encouraging 4-H members and volunteers to act in their own communities to fight hunger. County 4-H programs engage in friendly competition to see which county raises the most meals for food insecure families through food drives, monetary donations, and volunteering time at local food pantries. In the last four years, 4-H clubs have raised over a million meals to feed Missouri families. The meals donated are recorded as a part of Missouri Farmers Care’s annual Drive to Feed Kids.
