“Bushels for Hunger” Grain Drive Kicks off 14th Year

The Bushels for Hunger program is kicking off its 14 th year of area farmers helping local families. Farmers can donate bushels of grain at participating elevators from October 1, 2023 until January 31, 2024. Proceeds from grain sales will benefit River Bend Food Bank and food
pantries throughout the Quad City area. Since 2010, area farmers have donated over $300,000 and provided over 1.6 million meals to those in need.

Mercer County farmer and Illinois Farm Bureau District 3 Director Jeff Kirwan is excited about the continued efforts of the campaign. “Fourteen years after its start, the Bushels for Hunger campaign is as strong as ever. Our local farmers continue to support the program and
generously donate bushels of grain to help fight hunger in the Quad City communities,” Kirwan says.

“We are extremely grateful for this partnership and all of the farmers who participate,” said Nancy Renkes, President and CEO of River Bend Food Bank. “It is another great example of the tremendous community support that can ultimately end hunger in our area.”

The Bushels for Hunger program is a joint program coordinated by the following three Illinois County Farm Bureaus: Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer in conjunction with the following area grain elevators and ethanol plants: Atkinson Grain, Big River Resources, Cargill, CHS, Gold Star FS, Hillsdale Elevator, River Valley Cooperative and Rumbold & Kuhn. For more information, contact your local County Farm Bureau.