For the third year in a row, agriculture groups in Missouri partnered to raise awareness of childhood food insecurity and raise support for food banks across the state through the Missouri Farmers Care (MFC) Drive to Feed Kids.
A news release says this summer-long effort raised $175,000, which was presented August 17 at the Missouri State Fair to Feeding Missouri- the association of Missouri’s six regional food banks.
On August 13, MFC partnered with the Missouri FFA Association for Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day. More than 750 FFA members and agricultural leaders spent the day packing 128,460 meals to feed families of up to six people. The meals were distributed statewide to Missouri’s regional food banks.
Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson, along with Missouri elected officials and agricultural leaders, joined the cause on August 15. Together, they packed 1,740 backpack meals that will provide weekend meals through the first month of school for students in Pettis, Benton and Cooper counties.
Fair-goers participated in the events by bringing nonperishable food donations on Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday. Through these activities and a generous canned-food donation by Woods Supermarket, more than 15,000 pounds of nonperishable food was donated to local pantries. In addition, Missouri FFA donated fresh produce from FFA student projects on display at the fair.

Photo provided by the Missouri State Fair.