This summer, 4-H youth leaders across Indiana joined forces in the annual Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer competition—an initiative sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural First—to combat food insecurity in their communities.
Ranai Stoner with Farm Credit Mid-America tells more about the initiative. “We partner with our local county fairs to teach the 4-Hers, FFA members, youth in the community about giving back to their communities. Serving their communities in an impactful, productive manner.”
Lake County, located in northwest Indiana, emerged as the top contributor in the state, collecting an impressive 75,122 pounds of food. The massive donation helped support local hunger relief organizations, including God’s Groceries Food Pantry.
According to Elaine Hein from God’s Groceries, “This was a big help. The impact is that we can help more or be able to give them more food. We try to give them what they need for a week’s worth and this adds to it.”
In recognition of their outstanding efforts, Lake County 4-H was awarded a $5,000 prize from Farm Credit Mid-America.
Amy Hein-Wright, President of Lake County 4-H says the Farm Credit sponsorship of this and other projects reaches a lot further than just the local county. “What Farm Credit is offering in giving back to these counties allows these counties to do so much good. To have someone like Farm Credit come in and offer pretty solid sponsorships of a lot of different projects, they help sponsor the county and then the counties get to do good and help the community with it. I just feel like it’s a win-win all around.”
If your county fair is not involved in the Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer program in your local county, you can express interest in getting involved in the program by visiting your local Farm Credit location.
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