Moniteau County 4-H'ers are giving back to those in need as they vie for a pizza party.
The county's five 4-H chapters -- Eager Eagles 4-H, Shamrock 4-H, Show Me 4-H, Tipton 4-H and Twin City 4-H -- are competing against each other in a month-long food drive competition. The club that receives the most donated meals by March 31 will receive a pizza party from the Moniteau County 4-H Council. One pound of food equals slightly more than one meal. A news release said donations will go to local food pantries in Moniteau County.
In addition to a pizza party, all chapters have the chance to be treated to an ice cream party if they receive 30,000 meals by April 30.
Brayden Hallford, of Shamrock 4-H, said he has participated in the event for three years now. He was one of several Shamrock 4-H members present Saturday at the Explore Variety Store for an in-person food drive.
"I think it's just really beneficial for kids in our community to just help give them the extra support they need through food and other donations," he said.
Hallford added that he's learned that giving back can help later.
"It's good to help out when you can because you never know when you may be on the other side of the table and you need a little help," he said. "Just giving whenever you can means a lot."
Laura Baepler, youth program associate for the Moniteau County Extension, said the program connects 4-H youth with community needs.
"As they participate, they learn about what kinds of needs we have locally, how their donations fill that need, and how our local food pantries serve the community," she said in the release.
According to the release, monetary donations can go far, as $1 can provide up to 10 meals.
In California, the Twin City 4-H Club has set up donation boxes at the United Church of Christ, 101 N. Oak St., and People's Bank of Moniteau County, 201 E. Main St., in California. Checks should be made payable to Twin City 4-H Club with "4-H Food Drive" noted in the memo.
Show Me 4-H Club donated $200 and each member was tasked with raising an additional $20. Shamrock 4-H partnered with High Point R-III school for a "classroom challenge."
Jamestown residents can donate to the Eager Eagles 4-H Club at one of the donation boxes located in the community, or make monetary donations at Kacey's Kreations, 206 School St., or People's Bank of Moniteau County, 105 W. Row St., in Jamestown. Eager Eagles will also have an in-person drive from 10 a.m.-noon Sunday at Cal's Thriftway, 408 W. Buchanan St., and C&R Supermarket, 1021 E. Buchanan St., in California. Checks should be made payable to the Cargill Cares Food Pantry, which will receive the donations.
Tipton 4-H Club held in-person food drives on March 11 and Saturday. The club's donations will benefit the Tipton Nutrition Center.
Donations can be made online at www.feedingmissouri.org/4h/. Be sure to select "Moniteau County" from the "County of Your 4H Club" drop-down menu to benefit Moniteau County chapters.
For more information, contact Baepler at 573-304-3008 or [email protected].