By Andi Anderson
La Porte County placed in the top five in the statewide "Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer" food drive competition, collecting over 7,000 pounds of food for local food banks.
The contest, presented by Farm Credit Mid-America and sponsored by Rural 1st, is a friendly challenge among Indiana counties to help combat hunger through the efforts of local youth.
This summer, 38 county fairs across Indiana participated in the event, collectively gathering an impressive 108,593 pounds of food for food banks, setting a new record for the contest.
For the first time in its three-year history, the competition surpassed the 100,000-pound mark, a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to fight food insecurity in rural areas.
Steve Witges, senior vice president of agricultural lending at Farm Credit Mid-America, expressed the organization’s pride in supporting rural communities and agriculture through initiatives like this. He highlighted the importance of the contest in helping the nearly 700,000 food-insecure individuals across Indiana, noting the innovative and dedicated efforts of local youth.
La Porte County’s contribution of just over 7,000 pounds of food earned them fourth place in the competition. The county’s 4H participants played a key role in gathering the donations during the La Porte County Fair, showcasing their commitment to supporting their community.
The winning county this year was Jackson County, which collected an impressive 16,000 pounds of food during their county fair. The event continues to grow in participation, furthering its impact in addressing food insecurity throughout the state.
Through this initiative, young residents of Indiana are helping make a tangible difference in the fight against hunger, while fostering a sense of community and responsibility.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: Indiana, Rural Lifestyle