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Trenton FFA, Grundy County, has received a grant from the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation’s Drive to Feed Kids matching grant program which empowers youth to lead hunger-relief efforts in local communities through Missouri FFA chapters, Missouri 4-H clubs, collegiate, and career and technical education organizations. Since 2022, grant recipients have raised resources to provide more than 575,877 meals to families in need.

“One in six Missouri children and families regularly face hunger; in this time of growing need, Missouri agriculture has expanded our effort to make a difference in their lives,” said Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. “The Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids, presented in partnership with ADM and Brownfield Ag News, equips young people to meet the needs they see in their communities and fulfill their commitment to service.”

Drive to Feed Kids matching grants, ranging from $250 to $750, are offered to FFA chapters, 4-H clubs, collegiate organizations, and career and technical education programs. Each group raises matching funds and secures in-kind contributions to expand their local hunger-relief projects. The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation has awarded 52 grants to local organizations committed to addressing food insecurity in their communities.

“These grant funded projects begin this month, meeting needs now, through the holidays, and through the coming year,” said McCarty. “Missouri farmers and ranchers are dedicated to delivering abundance from our farms and fields. Agriculture is honored to play a small part in the big effort of reducing food insecurity. These grants help youth impact the lives of children and families facing hunger, bringing hope and brighter days to our communities.”

“Missouri FFA’s motto is ‘Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve’” said Keith Dietzschold, Missouri Agriculture Education Director, and State FFA Advisor. “This grant program provides experiences for our members to practice learning, doing, and serving, and along the way our members impact their local communities. This is such a win for our Missouri FFA members. Thank you to Missouri Farmers Care and their members for the support with this grant program and the additional activities during the year. Being a part of this partnership, which brings Missouri agriculture together for the benefit of the citizens of Missouri, is an honor.”

2026 Drive to Feed Kids Events

The Drive will host events throughout the year, culminating at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. 4-H Feeding Missouri will begin statewide January 1 and will continue through April 30. During Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday and Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day on August 18, over 250,000 meals will be packed for those in need. In 2025, the Drive to Feed Kids program raised more than 720,000 meals.

Organizations and individuals interested in supporting the Drive to Feed Kids can find more information and a donation link at www.mofarmerscare.com/drive. All donations are directed to Feeding Missouri, a coalition of Missouri’s six food banks working to alleviate hunger across the state.

MISSOURI FARMERS CARE

Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri’s agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our communities depend. The coalition of more than 45 leading Missouri agricultural groups promotes the growth of Missouri agriculture and rural communities through coordinated communication, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.MOFarmersCare.com.

MISSOURI FARMERS CARE FOUNDATION

Missouri Farmers Care Foundation enables Missourians to understand the influence and importance of agriculture in their daily lives by serving as the centralized hub of the unified educational programs, awards, and hunger relief efforts of Missouri’s agricultural community. For more information, visit www.MOFarmersCare.com.