Missouri Farmers Care – MO State Fair Event – MFA, Inc.
MFA and several missouri organizations teamed up to host a Drive to Feed Kids event at the MO State Fair resulting in over 1.8 million hungry kids fed across the state.
During the 2017 Missouri State Fair, Missouri Farmers Care, Feeding Missouri, Brownfield Ag News, the Missouri State Fair, and Missouri FFA have teamed up with Drive to Feed Kids and MFA, Inc. to combat childhood hunger by hosting an incredible line up of Drive to Feed Kids events. This collaborative partnership raised resources to feed over 1.8 million hungry children across the state.
Several activities were scheduled to raise awareness and took place during the fair. All contributions were dedicated to Feeding Missouri’s member food banks engaged in addressing childhood food insecurity.
Key events at the Missouri State Fair included a live streamed Sawyer Brown concert, during Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive fairgoers receive discounted admission for canned food donations resulting in over 8,950 pounds of non-perishable food given to local food pantries. More than 350 Missouri FFA members packed over 52,000 child-friendly meals as a part of their Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day. And finally, a check for $165,284 was presented to Feeding Missouri, the association of Missouri’s six regional food banks, for childhood food insecurity programs
Missouri’s rate of childhood food insecurity is among the highest in the nation. Hunger is not an urban or rural issue. In fact, in rural communities throughout the state, as many as 1 in 5 people face food insecurity. Among children, the numbers are even higher. In parts of Missouri, 1 in 3 children face food insecurity on a regular basis.a
“Hunger isn’t an issue that only happens somewhere else,” said Alan Wessler D.V.M, chairman of MFC. “It is a pervasive concern across Missouri’s rural communities. All of us in agriculture are focused on doing our best to produce food. We’re also focused on making our communities the best place they can be. When children face hunger, it presents challenges in coming to school able to learn and thrive. It is time to consider what we can do to help. The good news is that regional food banks, affiliated through Feeding Missouri, have a proven and efficient way to deliver food to those who need it most.”
Feeding America. “MAP THE MEAL GAP 2017 Highlights of Findings for Overall and Child Food Insecurity.” Http://Www.feedingamerica.org/Hunger-in-America/Our-Research/Map-the-Meal-Gap/2015/2015-Mapthemealgap-Exec-Summary.pdf, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, 2017.