Local farmers and dealers take service beyond the field
BUTLER, Mo. (Nov. 1, 2012) – An estimated 50.1 million Americans live in food insecure households; a total of 33.5 million adults and 16.7 million children, according to Feed America. As the holiday season fast approaches, many are looking for ways to give back. Jason Hiser, district sales manager at Monsanto’s Lewis-Hybrids, is one of those looking to contribute to community of Butler, Mo.
“We are struggling with poverty in our area, and it is important that we as farmers and seed dealers are aware and helping the less fortunate members of our community,” Hiser said. “I created an event called Beyond the Field to do just that.”
Beyond the Field is the first annual event bringing all local Lewis-Hybrid dealers in Bates County together to volunteer at the Butler Community Food Pantry. The group will assist Food Pantry volunteers in the Monsanto Mobile Food Drop on Saturday, Nov. 17. A total of 20 volunteers will be in attendance. In the future, Hiser hopes to expand the event to include all Lewis-Hybrid farmers in the area.
At each Monsanto Mobile Food Drop, thousands of pounds of food are donated to the Butler Community Food Pantry. After the Food Drop, volunteers are needed to help package boxes of food for families, load the donation into trucks, and distribute the fresh food to the community.
Joyce Fitzpatrick, Butler Community Food Pantry director, has worked with the Food Pantry for 11 years and knows the importance of volunteerism.
“Community members need to see the effects of hunger up close and understand how it affects the whole area,” Fitzpatrick said. “It is great to have volunteers like the Lewis-Hybrids group come in at this time of year and help out.”
At Beyond the Field, Lewis-Hybrids volunteers will help prepare food for 250 families in Bates County. The Butler Community Food Pantry is entirely dependent on donations and volunteer service. In this time of need, volunteers have the chance to make a real difference in their own neighborhoods.
“Our community gives each of us so much every day, it is nice to give back by volunteering to help others,” Hiser said. “That’s why the Lewis-Hybrids family is motivated to take it Beyond the Field.”
The Butler Community Food Pantry first opened its doors in January 2002 and currently serves 14% of Bates County, Mo. The Food Pantry is a 501c(3) non-profit charity and relies on products and financial donations from private individuals, civic groups, local churches and area businesses to operate. To learn more about this non-profit food shelter, please visit: http://batescountypantry.org/.
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