JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation has awarded 46 grants to organizations committed to addressing food insecurity in their communities. This marks the fourth year the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation has provided matching grants to Missouri FFA chapters, Missouri 4-H clubs, collegiate, and career and technical education organizations to support efforts to improve local food security. Since 2022, Missouri youth have raised enough resources to provide 481,987 meals in their communities through grant-funded projects. “Missouri agriculture is honored to support youth as they fulfill their commitment to service,” 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. These grants help youth impact the lives of children and families facing hunger, bringing hope and brighter days to our communities.” Drive to Feed Kids matching grants, ranging from $250 to $750, are offered to chapters and clubs organizing service-learning projects aimed at addressing food insecurity. Eligible groups—including FFA chapters, 4-H clubs, collegiate organizations, and career and technical education groups—are required to raise matching funds or secure in-kind contributions to support their projects. Missouri FFA Chapters Awarded 2025 Drive to Feed Kids Grants: • Fordland FFA, Fordland • Glendale FFA, Springfield • Grand View FFA, Hillsboro • Harrisonville Cass R-IX FFA, Harrisonville • Logan-Rogersville FFA, Rogersville • Mansfield FFA, Mansfield • Mt Vernon FFA, Mt. Vernon • Naylor FFA, Naylor • Niangua FFA, Niangua • Oak Ridge FFA, Oak Ridge • Pleasant Hill FFA, Pleasant Hill • Seymour FFA, Seymour • Ste. Genevieve FFA, Ste. Genevieve • West Platte FFA, Weston “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. “Opportunities like this grant program provide 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 small part of this partnership, which brings Missouri agriculture together for the benefit of the citizens of Missouri, is an honor.” 4-H Clubs Awarded 2025 Drive to Feed Kids Grants Presented in Partnership with the Missouri 4-H Foundation: • Big Creek 4-H, Wright City • Callaway County 4-H, Fulton • Cooper County 4-H Council, Boonville • County Line 4-H, Warrenton • Elkhorn 4-H Club of Warren County, Warrenton • Farley Jolly Workers 4-H Club, Weston • Greene County 4-H Teen Council, Springfield • Guys and Gals 4-H Club, Richmond • Knox County 4-H Council, Edina • Lawson 4-H Club, Rayville • Lewis County 4-H Council, Monticello • Lucky Clover 4-H Club, Seneca • Lucky Clover Valley 4-H, West Plains • Lucky Star 4-H Club, Keytesville • Mighty Eagles 4-H Club, Fordland • Millville 4-H, Richmond • Newton County 4-H, Neosho • Osage County 4-H Council, Loose Creek • Prairie View 4-H, Warrenton • Rolling Stones 4-H Club, Wright City • Shooting Stars 4-H, Harrisonville • Ste. Genevieve 4-H, Ste. Genevieve • St. Francois County Mizzou Extension Office 4-H, Farmington • South Eagle 4-H Club, Linneus • Taylor 4-H Club, Palmyra • Warren County Missouri 4-H, Warrenton • Warren County 4-H Leadership Group Project, Warrenton “Every day, 4-H members pledge their hands to larger service, just as they have for over a century,” said Rachel Augustine, Sr. Director of Advancement for MU Extension and the Missouri 4-H Foundation. “Through service, 4-H members build stronger communities, foster empathy, and develop the skills they need to be ready for anything. The Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to support the 2025 Drive to Feed Kids grant program, because it empowers young people to lead positive change in their communities.” Collegiate and Career and Technical Education Organizations Awarded 2025 Drive to Feed Kids Grants: • MU Collegiate Farm Bureau, Columbia • Excelsior Springs Career Center, Excelsior Springs • Skills USA MACTEC Center, Macon • Skills USA Carrollton Area Career Center, Carrollton 2025 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 began statewide January 1 and will continue through April 30. On 12, Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday and Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day, over 150,000 meals will be packed for those in need. In 2025, the Drive to Feed Kids program raised more than 711,000 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. | 