NEWS BRIEFS
Agriculture Pulling Together to Feed Missouri ' s Hungry Children , Share Agriculture ' s Story
In an effort to combat childhood food insecurity and showcase Missouri agriculture , Missouri Farmers Care ( MFC ) has launched Drive to Feed Kids . The Drive will leverage food bank distribution networks to deliver kid-friendly meals to hungry children across Missouri . The Drive is led by Missouri Farmers Care , Feeding Missouri , Brownfield Ag News , the Missouri State Fair and Missouri FFA .
Even in the nation ' s agricultural heartland , hunger is a challenge ; 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 .
Missouri agriculture invites the partnership of companies and individuals to address the most pressing childhood hunger needs in Missouri communities . All contributions will be dedicated to Feeding Missouri ' s member food banks engaged in addressing childhood food insecurity .
" 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 ."
Paired with the Drive to Feed Kids is the opportunity to celebrate agriculture ' s productivity and contributions while responsibly producing food for our communities . The Drive culminates with key events at the Missouri State Fair . A screening of " Where the Fast Lane Ends ", a film showing the responsible use of agricultural science and technology , will be hosted on Thursday , Aug . 10 at 3:30 p . m . Pairs of tickets are available for a minimum donation of $ 25 to the Drive . The screening will be followed by a 7:30 p . m . concert featuring Sawyer Brown with Royal Wade Kimes . Sawyer Brown lead singer , Mark Miller , wrote and produced " Where the Fast Lane Ends ."
Then , during Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday , Aug . 15 , fairgoers receive discounted admission for canned food donations ($ 1 off per item , up to $ 5 savings per adult ticket ). During the day ' s first Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day more than 300 Missouri FFA members will pack 50,000 child-friendly meals .
Visit http :// mofarmerscare . com / drive / for the opportunity to give through the Drive to highlight the vital role of Missouri ' s farmers and ranchers in our communities and stand in the gap for children who , through no fault of their own , face tough situations .
Tickets to the Sawyer Brown / Royal Wade Kiems concert can be purchased through the Missouri State Fair at http :// www . mostatefair . com / events / sawyerbrown-royal-wade-kimes /. Join Missouri agriculture to highlight the positive impacts of agriculture while ensuring kids have nutrition they need to succeed . Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri ' s farming and agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our communities depend . The Drive to Feed Kids is being managed by the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation , a 501 ( c ) 3 tax exempt public charity .
24 HEARTBEAT | SUMMER 2017