The Missouri State Fair, along with several partners, will unite to offer a second annual food drive to help alleviate hunger in Missouri. New to the cause this year will be a Canstruction exhibit of a full-size Ford F250 pickup, created out from nearly 7,000 cans of food equaling 3.5 tons of food. The display will be located at the Missouri Farmers Care booth, located in the Agriculture Building, Aug. 9-19, with the canned goods going to the Missouri Food Bank Association.
"Missouri farmers care about feeding every family," Missouri Farmers Care Chairman Don Nikodim said. "We are proud to work with so many groups that care about delivering high-quality food to the Missourians that need it most. This is a tough year for farmers but our commitment to feeding Missouri families has never been greater."
Missouri Farmers Care Teams Up to Fight Hunger
Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday, in cooperation with Ford and Missouri Farmers Care, was kicked off early this summer in a food collection campaign at Ford dealerships across the state. The collection effort will culminate at the State Fair as canned food will be accepted from fairgoers in exchange for a discount on gate admission from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centennial Gate.
"The F-250 Canstruction exhibit will awe onlookers as well as serve as a reminder to help others in our communities," said Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. "Fairgoers can save up to half-off a regular gate admission, while showing their support of the worthy cause."
Each canned food donation is worth $1 towards gate admission Aug. 14, with a maximum of half-off the regular ticket. Adults bringing four canned items can receive $4 off a regular $8 adult ticket; seniors bringing three canned items can receive $3 off a regular $6 senior ticket; and children bringing one canned item can receive $1 off a regular $2 child ticket.
"Hunger is real in Missouri and it is spread throughout the entire state," said Missouri Food Bank Association State Director Scott Baker. "One in eight Missourians rely upon emergency food assistance every year. To fix this problem, the first step is awareness. The State Fair food drive is an excellent way to shine light upon this growing problem and help people understand that it is solvable, if we work together. We are grateful to all of the partners for making the fight against hunger a priority."
Several contributors played a role in the Missouri State Fair food drive this year, including Ford and Missouri Farmers Care. Also instrumental in the Ford F250 exhibit were Bing's of Sedalia
Source: Missouri Farmers Care