Feed the Need
No.1661
March 13, 2006

The people of North Carolina are giving folk. According to the national Urban Institute in Washington D.C., the most recent data shows North Carolina is among the top 12 states in charitable giving. Contributions received as a result of Hurricane's Katrina and Rita will surely set new records in America's generosity to neighbors in need.

While money is important, it is also important to note the work of charities like America's Second Harvest, the country's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. North Carolina Farm Bureau members have worked closely with this outstanding organization of food banks whose partners include gleaning organizations like the Society of St. Andrews. These are the people who put food directly into the hands of America's children and adults who need it most.

As part of America's Second Harvest, North Carolina-based food banks distributed nearly 47 million pounds of food to state residents in 2002, the most recent year with data available.

Harvest For All

Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) from North Carolina recently competed with Farm Bureau peers across the U.S. to raise cash and gather food for the Harvest For All campaign. Our YF&R members collected over 35,000 pounds of food to take second place honors in the worthy competition. America's Second Harvest estimates 1.31 pounds of collected food provides a healthy, balanced meal for a person.

Additionally, our young farmers and women's committee members gathered 1.5 tractor-trailer loads of food and personally delivered it to needy farm families in Louisiana and Mississippi. Volunteer members continue efforts this year to help farm and ranch families in these states who lost almost everything due to hurricane damage.

North Carolina's farmers are in the business of food production but they are also humanitarians. From the farmers who graciously allow Society of St. Andrews volunteers to glean leftover crops from their fields, to the people who dig deep in their pockets to help feed the hungry, all are due thanks. The generosity of the Tar Heel people is among the virtues that continue to make America great.