Thousands of people attend Indiana county fairs each summer to enjoy an elephant ear, corn dog or other favorite fair food. At the same time, approximately 694,500 Hoosiers each year are unable to survive without Indiana food banks according to the Hunger in America 2010 Indiana State Report. This summer, the Indiana State Fair, Indiana Association of Fairs, Festivals and Events, Elanco and Indiana Farm Bureau are working together to help eliminate hunger in Indiana through a new program called FAIRs Care.
FAIRs CARE challenges Indiana county fairs to create a Fair Food Drive to collect non-perishable foods or monetary donations to serve their local food pantries. On the last day of the State Fair Sunday, Aug. 18, Elanco and Indiana Farm Bureau will award eight $500 awards at random to participating county fairs to continue their hunger drive programs in 2014.
“Indiana agriculture means many things to many people, but most importantly it means food on the table for all Hoosiers,” Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock said. “Indiana Farm Bureau members are proud to be partnering with the State Fair, county fairs all across the state and our dear friends at Elanco on this project. We are working together to make sure no Hoosier goes to bed hungry.”
Altogether, 15 county fairs have stepped up to the challenge to participate in the new program. They are:
- Allen
- Decatur
- Elkhart
- Hamilton
- Hendricks
- Jennings
- LaGrange
- Lawrence
- Marion
- Monroe
- Noble
- Porter
- Starke
- Vermillion
- Wells
Throughout the county fair season, the Indiana State Fair, Elanco and Indiana Farm Bureau will also reward each donor with two admission tickets to the Indiana State Fair good for any day of the fair, Aug. 2 – 18. This $20 value can be had with a minimum $3 of food items or financial support while supplies last.
SOURCE: Indiana State Fair
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