Missouri 4-H Surpasses 2.5 Million Meals Milestone

Missouri 4-H members are proving that agriculture’s next generation isn’t just growing crops and raising livestock. They’re also helping feed their neighbors.

The statewide 4-H Feeding Missouri campaign delivered the equivalent of more than 250,000 meals during its 2026 effort, pushing the program’s overall impact beyond 2.5 million meals since it launched in 2019.

Each year, Missouri 4-H clubs spend the first part of the year tackling food insecurity through community service projects. Members organize food drives, collect donations, volunteer at local food pantries, and raise money to support hunger-relief programs across the state.

Moniteau County led the way in 2026. Local 4-H members generated enough support to provide more than 77,000 meals, earning top honors among participating counties.

The effort is a joint partnership involving Missouri 4-H, Missouri Farmers Care, and Feeding Missouri. Together, the organizations work to connect agriculture, community service, and hunger relief while giving young people opportunities to make a difference close to home.

A key part of the campaign is the Drive To Feed Kids grant program. The initiative provides matching funds to youth organizations, including 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, that develop local projects aimed at fighting hunger. Participants raise additional dollars and gather donated resources to stretch the impact of each project.

This year, 24 Missouri 4-H clubs received grant support to help launch or expand food assistance efforts in their communities.

Missouri 4-H leaders say the campaign continues to demonstrate how young people can create meaningful change when they combine community service with local agriculture and food systems.

As food insecurity remains a challenge for many Missouri families, organizers say the work of 4-H members is helping put meals on tables while building future leaders who understand the importance of giving back.

For Missouri agriculture, it’s another reminder that service remains a core part of rural communities across the state.