Food drive at fair will benefit Kansas kids

By NANCY B. PETERSON

K-State Research and Extension

HUTCHINSON --- Attending the state fair this year offers a special opportunity for everyone: a chance to help hungry kids in Kansas.

"With the abundance of food on our supermarket shelves and at the Kansas State Fair itself, it would seem unlikely that anyone could be going hungry in the heartland. Current state statistics do, however, suggest that one in seven children in Kansas is either not getting enough to eat, or at risk of not getting enough to eat," said Steve Fisher, K-State Research and Extension 4-H youth program specialist, who is coordinating a food collection effort at the fair that will benefit children in the state.

The concept of a food drive connected with the fair was introduced last year. 4-H members built a "Hunger House" with grocery-style shelves and encouraged fair visitors to stock the shelves.

This year, fair goers again are encouraged to bring non- perishable foods --- canned fruits, vegetables, soups, meats or boxed pastas, for example --- to the Hunger House located in the 4-H exhibit building at the north end of the fair grounds, or to the Channel 12 KWCH booth near the main gate. Both will serve as collection sites throughout the fair, which opens Friday and runs through Sept. 17.

"We know that children's brains develop when they are young. If they miss out on essential vitamins, minerals and proteins important to growth and development, they miss out for the rest of their lives," said Karen Fitzgerald, coordinator of the Kansas Nutrition Network.

Fitzgerald, who devotes her energies to promoting services such as the Heartland Share, Women's, Infants and Children's Nutrition Program (WIC) and school breakfast programs, notes that the Hunger House food collection drive is a relatively new effort --- this is only the second year --- but an effort well worth supporting. And, she says, others agree.

For example, in Sedgwick County, K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners encouraged members and garden enthusiasts to contribute home grown fruits and vegetables to the Kansas Food Bank Warehouse. Local garden centers agreed to serve as collection sites. To date, more than 13,000 pounds of garden-fresh foods have been distributed, and the program will continue through the end of the garden season, said Bob Neier, K-State Research and Extension agent in Sedgwick County, who coordinated the program.

In addition to the Extension Master Gardeners, the food collection effort is being promoted by Kansas Food Bank Warehouse, Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, the USDA Community Food Security Initiative and 4-H clubs throughout the state.

"It's important for kids to learn that helping others is a part of responsible citizenship," Fisher said.

It is also important to learn that unexpected benefits --- including some fun --- can sometimes come from helping others. This year Al Davis, Johnson County 4-H agent, challenged 4-H members to raise 3,000 pounds of food instead of the 2,000 pound goal they were considering. In fact, he said that if they collected 3,000 pounds of food, he would dye his hair blonde.

4-H members in the county accepted Davis' challenge and gathered 3,200 pounds of food in less than a week. Davis credits the county fair board with support --- they offer discount tickets one night to encourage donations ----- and 4-Hers, who quickly succeeded in coloring his hair.

Donations to help children in need are encouraged; some boxed, non- perishable foods can be lighter in weight and easier to transport, but all non-perishable foods are appreciated, said Fisher.

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