Putnam County 4-H takes a bite out of hunger

Along with a handful of other Indiana counties, the Putnam 4-H Junior Leaders received a grant from the Indiana 4-H Foundation to conduct the program “Indiana 4-H Takes a Bite Out of Hunger” community service project.

The 4-H Junior Leaders have leveraged the funds of the Indiana 4-H Foundation with additional funds from the Past Presidents of Extension Homemakers and the Putnam County Youth Philanthropy grant program. The FAIRS Care program of the Indiana State Fair is also a partner via the Putnam County Fair Board. State Fair tickets are provided to those counties that apply to conduct food drives where the tickets are provided as an incentive.

The first activity this project partnered with was the Putnam County Fair Board’s “I am a FAIR Runner” 5K run/walk. This event occurred on June 9. At this event the Junior Leaders collected canned food items for the food pantry. Anyone who brought three or more canned goods to the 5K event received a food coupon for credit at the Putnam 4-H Junior Leader stand during the fair. This coupon will take a dollar off any purchase at the Junior Leader stand inside the show arena during the fair.

Upcoming events where one may donate nonperishable food items include Saturday, July 21 between 5-9 p.m., Tuesday, July 24 during carnival discount day and Wednesday, July 25, between noon and 7 p.m., all at the Putnam County Fair.

To receive a state fair ticket, a minimum of a $5 donation or five canned items must occur to receive on state fair ticket. Additionally, there is a limit of three state fair tickets per donor. One could also choose to receive a Junior Leader booth dollar coupon for a donation of two canned goods.

An additional event where one can donate is the “Color Me Green” Dash. As a continued effort of the state 4-H healthy living initiative, the Putnam County 4-H “Color Me Green” dash will be run on Friday, July 27 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Participants experience the “color” via a corn starch based dye powder that is tossed onto the runners at one or more stations on the run.

If donating at the “Color Me Green” Dash, you will have the opportunity to receive a State Fair ticket or a Junior Leader concession stand coupon while supplies last.

Can’t make any of these events? You can still bring two canned food items to the Purdue Extension Putnam County office and receive a Junior Leader stand discount coupon. For more information to get involved, contact Kim Beadles at kbeadles@purdue.edu or Mark Evans at mevans@purdue.edu or call the Extension Office at 653-8411.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming events

July 14 – Shooting Sports Firearms 4-H competitive shoot, 8:30 a.m., Cloverdale Conservation Club.

July 15 – Tractor Driving 4-H competition, 2 p.m., Fairgrounds.

July 15 – Bicycle Rodeo 4-H contest, 6:30 p.m., Fairgrounds.

July 16 – Cat 4-H Show, 9:30 a.m., Community Building.

July 16 – Fashion Revue 4-H, Community Building.

July 20-27 – Putnam County 4-H Fair.

Aug. 3-19 – Indiana State Fair.

Aug. 15 – My Record of Achievement 4-H Workshop, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Extension Office.