Farm Bureau Members Put Dent in Hunger
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 1, 2005 – The farm and ranch families of Farm Bureau last year raised $121,308 and donated 2,465,445 pounds of food to hungry Americans under the organization's "Harvest for All" program.
"Harvest for All," a joint effort between Farm Bureau and America's Second Harvest, in partnership with Syngenta and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, is a national community-action program through which farmers can help ensure that every American can enjoy the bounty produced on America's farms and ranches.
"Farmers and ranchers across the nation have joined together to help decrease hunger in America," said AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Chair Ben Boyd, who farms in Georgia. "By sharing our bounty with those less fortunate, we are optimistic there will soon be a day where no child goes to bed hungry." Farm Bureau YF&R programs are spearheading the "Harvest for All" program across the nation, but overall the project involves the entire organization.
Aside from raising food and funds for the initiative, farmers and ranchers donated nearly 5,000 hours of their time for hunger-relief efforts at their local food banks, homeless shelters, churches and community centers.
State YF&R programs were recently recognized for their enormous strides to raise food, funds and volunteer hours through the farmer-driven, hunger-relief effort. California took top honors a second year in a row for raising the most money, food donations and volunteer time. The organization raised $35,069, as well as $2,411,107 pounds of food and 1,758 volunteer hours.
Coming in at second place in the categories: Georgia volunteered 845 hours; Virginia raised $35,000 and Texas donated 15,487 pounds of food.
Out of appreciation, Syngenta presented members of the California Farm Bureau YF&R Committee three checks for $3,000 each for being the top producers in each of the three categories. Georgia, Texas and Virginia were all presented checks for $2,000. The state YF&R committees will donate the funds to their local food banks.
"We appreciate Syngenta's continued support," said Boyd. "Because of Syngenta's generous contribution and commitment to this great cause, farmers and ranchers who worked hardest in their communities can funnel additional money back into their local food banks where it is most needed."
Contacts:
Mace Thornton
(202) 406-3641
macet@fb.org
Tracy Taylor Grondine
(202) 406-3642
tracyg@fb.org
Ross Fraser
(312) 263-2303 x127
rfraser@secondharvest.org
