Attendees at 36 county fairs in Indiana, including Jackson, this summer raised more than 99,020 pounds of food to benefit more than 50 food banks as part of Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer.

The statewide food drive contest sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st is a friendly competition that has raised food donations for local food banks across Indiana in collaboration with county fairs for the past two years.

“Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer is a statewide initiative that encourages the local community to come out and help stock the shelves at local food banks,” Gary Coleman said in a news release.

Coleman, regional vice president with Farm Credit Mid-America in Indiana, said this is one of the many ways the organization fulfills its mission to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture.

“We were excited to bring this contest back to Indiana again this year and are encouraged by all the participation we saw from our communities,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to support local banks and combat hunger across the Hoosier State.”

The total weight of all donations at participating fairs were calculated with first place and $5,000 awarded to the Wabash County Fair for raising 15,760 pounds of food this year. Second place and $3,500 was awarded to the Decatur County Fair for raising 9,220 pounds of food. Third place and $1,500 went to the Jackson County Fair for raising 8,500 pounds of food.

Each county fair that contributed to Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer received $500. All prize money awarded will support local county fair youth agricultural leadership.

Heather VonDielingen, 4-H youth development educator and Purdue Extension Jackson County director, said the food raised during the Jackson County Fair will benefit the 4-H Little Food Pantries, Shed for You, Good Samaritan, Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry and Jackson-Jennings Community Corrections to combat hunger in the community and surrounding areas.

“This is one of the many ways we fulfill our mission to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture,” VonDielingen said. “We were excited to bring this contest back to the Jackson County Fair again this year and are encouraged by all of the participation we see from the community.”

She credited the third-place finish to the hard work of the Jackson County 4-H Goat Club, which organized the local drive for the second year in a row.