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ALLIANCE - Farm Credit Mid-America, Rural 1st® and Columbiana County Fair have partnered together to raise food donations to benefit Caring Hands Food Bank in East Palestine as part of a state-wide food drive contest. Now in its third year, Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer is a friendly competition that helps junior fairs raise food donations for local food banks across Ohio. The contest is one of many ways Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st® give back to rural communities and support local agriculture.
"Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer has grown from a pilot project to a state-wide initiative that encourages the local community to come out and help stock the shelves at local food banks," said Evan Hahn, a regional vice president of Agricultural Lending for Farm Credit Mid-America in Ohio. "Last year, over 50 junior fairs across Ohio collected nearly 170,000 pounds of food that went on to benefit 74 local food banks. We're very excited to see what the growth and impact will look like as the contest enters its third year this summer."
Local community members may bring non-perishable food items to the Columbiana County Fair from July 31 through Aug. 6. Food donations may be placed into the trailer located next to the Jr. Fair Building. The total weight of all donations will be calculated at the end of the fair, with 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and cash prizes awarded to the fairs who raise the most food at the end of the summer.
"Our teams love seeing the creativity and drive of junior fair members to make a difference in their community," said Mary Fannin, a financial officer for Farm Credit Mid-America and one of the team members who leads the Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer initiative. "The most rewarding part of the contest is seeing the connection that kids are making with local foodbanks."
Prizes include a $500 award for each county fair that contributes, followed by a $5,000 donation to the fair that raises the most food, followed by $3,500 for second place and $1,500 for third place. All prize money awarded will support local junior fair activities.
The Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer contest is being hosted on a regional basis. To learn about which counties are participating in 2023, reach out to Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st® at 330-823-8884.