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Living to serve, 400 Missouri FFA members will participate in the first Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day Aug. 15, 2017, at the Missouri State Fair. The service day, held in conjunction with Missouri Farmers Care's Drive to Feed Kids, will see FFA members pack 50,000 child-friendly meals. The Missouri FFA organization is coordinating the event to provide an opportunity for FFA members to visit the fair and experience the true meaning of the fourth line of the FFA Motto, "Living to serve."

"The vision of the FFA is Growing Leaders, Building Communities and Strengthening Agriculture," said Abby Bertz, state FFA president. "We are excited for this partnership as we put into action the components of our vision - members working together, developing as leaders, building a sense of community and partnering with Missouri agriculture - all while working to fight hunger right here in our home state."

The FFA Food Insecurity Service Day is part of Missouri Farmers Care's Drive to Feed Kids, a coordinated effort to combat childhood food insecurity and showcase Missouri agriculture. The Drive is raising financial support for Feeding Missouri, the network of Missouri's six regional food banks, supporting 1,500 food pantries. All money raised through the Drive will fund existing programs to deliver kid-friendly meals to hungry children across Missouri. The Drive is led by Missouri Farmers Care, Brownfield Ag News, Monsanto, Feeding Missouri, the Missouri State Fair and Missouri FFA.

"Sadly, even in the nation's agricultural heartland, hunger is a challenge," said Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care. "Missouri's rate of childhood food insecurity is among the highest in the nation. In communities throughout the state, as many as 1 in 5 people face food insecurity. Among children, the numbers are even higher. In parts of Missouri, 1 in 3 children face food insecurity on a regular basis. The Drive to Feed Kids is working to provide food to help these children thrive."

The Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day, Tuesday, Aug. 15, will begin with a motivational message from past Missouri FFA State Officer Cody Jones. Afterwards, FFA members will begin packing 50,000 kid-friendly meals for the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri. FFA members will also be receiving canned food donations at the Centennial Gate for Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday. On this day, fairgoers receive discounted admission for canned food donations ($1 off per item, up to $5 savings per adult ticket) for gate admission. Missouri FFA is partnering with Missouri Farmers Care, the Missouri State Fair, and Meals of Hope on this project.

Paired with the Drive to Feed Kids is the opportunity to celebrate agriculture's productivity and contributions while responsibly producing food for our communities. In addition to the FFA Food Insecurity Service Day, key Drive events at the Missouri State Fair include a screening of "Where the Fast Lane Ends", a film showing the responsible use of agricultural science and technology. The screening will be hosted on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 3:30 p.m. in the Director's Tent. Pairs of tickets are available for a minimum donation of $25 to the Drive.

The screening will be followed by a 7:30 p.m. concert featuring Sawyer Brown with Royal Wade Kimes. Sawyer Brown lead singer, Mark Miller, wrote and produced "Where the Fast Lane Ends". Tickets to the Sawyer Brown / Royal Wade Keims concert can be purchased through the Missouri State Fair at: http://www.mostatefair.com/events/sawyer-brown-royal-wade-kimes/.

Missouri FFA, Missouri Farmers Care and all Drive to Feed Kids partners invite individuals and companies to donate. All contributions will be dedicated to Feeding Missouri's member food banks engaged in addressing childhood food insecurity.

Help children who face tough situations and highlight the vital role of Missouri's farmers and ranchers in our communities. Visit http://mofarmerscare.com/drive/ for the opportunity to give.

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