In addition to the many and varied organizations that deserve credit for feeding people in need, including those in Excelsior Springs and Ray County, a shout out is deserved by 4-H clubs that have done the same thing.

4-H clubs across Missouri have raised more than 750,000 meals to feed hungry families over the last three years. What makes the numbers more impressive is, the third annual 4-H Feeding Missouri food drive, in partnership with Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids, acquired the food to donate, even though COVID-19 limited in-person drives, fundraising, volunteer service, education and outreach activities. 4-H clubs this year alone successfully secured 356,665 meals for hungry Missourians, bringing the three-year cumulative total to 756,049.

“Even in the midst of all the challenges around COVID-19, you stepped up and exceeded the number of meals raised last year,” Marshall Stewart, University of Missouri vice chancellor for extension and engagement, said in praise of 4-H clubs. “Missouri 4-H and their families pulled together to inspire people in your community to continue to donate.”

Missouri 4-H members contributed food, cash donations and volunteer hours to help feed neighbors and raise awareness about food insecurity in Missouri. This year, 4-H clubs could apply for matching mini-grants through a donation from the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. Almost $5,000 went to 17 Missouri 4-H clubs to help further their local efforts during the drive.

4-H Feeding Missouri campaign proceeds went directly to Feeding Missouri, a coalition consisting of the state’s six major food banks, which provides hunger relief through a network of more than 1,500 community-based food programs in every county and the city of St. Louis.

“One in five Missourians face hunger, and the needs of those who are food insecure are on the rise due to the impact of COVID-19,” Feeding Missouri state Director Scott Baker said.

“The most important part of this drive was the work Missouri 4-H and their families did to raise awareness across the state about this important issue,” Lupita Fabregas said. Fabregas is the director of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development. “We urge 4-H’ers to keep working with their local food pantries and to support the Drive to Feed Kids campaign later this year, as well as special efforts planned during this summer’s county and state fair season.”

To continue to help fight hunger in Missouri, Missouri Farmers Care Foundation’s Drive to Feed Kids invites pig farmers and swine exhibitors to donate pigs this summer through Hogs for Hunger. This is a worthy goal and one that could be taken up in Ray and Clay counties by those with the financial ability to do so.

Pigs can be processed and donated locally, or up to 50 pigs will be accepted for donation at the Missouri State Fair. Missouri Farmers Care asks state fair exhibitors to indicate their willingness to donate their pigs by July 30 at MOFarmersCare.com/hogs-for-hunger.

“Food banks consistently report that protein is the most requested and hardest to procure item,” Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care, said. “It is fulfilling to see the heart of Missouri agriculture expressed by Missouri youth donating much-needed protein to hungry Missourians. These generous donations through Hogs for Hunger will make a difference in the lives of our neighbors, over 1.1 million Missourians facing food insecurity.”

The 2021 Drive to Feed Kids will culminate at the Missouri State Fair with various activities, including a meal box packing event Aug. 16 in the 4-H building. Fairgoers that day are welcome to stop by to view the exhibits and pack a box. More about this event and the other Drive to Feed Kids activities are available at MOFarmersCare.com/drive.

Participation offers a terrific opportunity to assist Missourians in need. It also offers a terrific opportunity to enrich one’s own life by enriching the lives of others.