Service Project

The State 4-H Council is pleased to release details of the Statewide Service Project, Food Checkout Day. This year’s project is being brought to you in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

Did you know it takes only 5 weeks for most Americans to earn enough income for the family’s annual food supply? Did you know that for most Americans, it takes 77 days of salary to pay their annual local, state and federal taxes? Did you know that the average American spends 10% of their disposable income on food, compared to over 55% in Indonesia and 14% in Japan?

Farmers in Pennsylvania and the United States play a critical role in making food affordable for consumers. To help celebrate Pennsylvania’s safe and affordable food supply, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau state Women’s Leadership Committee and county Farm Bureaus are collecting food, cash donations, and other needed items for Pennsylvania’s five Ronald McDonald Houses.

There will be a variety of ways for you to get your 4-H members, leaders, and community members involved with Food Checkout Day. Throughout the year, you can donate food items, purchase gift certificates to Wal-Mart or postage stamps for the Pennsylvania Ronald McDonald Houses nearest you. To get involved this way, contact your local Farm Bureau and they can provide you with details. Their web address is: http://www.pfb.com/programs/womens-committee/food-check-out-day.htm

For the statewide leadership conference we are asking counties across the state to “Checkout the Silver” by collecting and donating the tops of soda cans. At the conference, collection will happen throughout the weekend, so start collecting now! Regions that collect the most of each item will be recognized during the closing ceremony at State Leadership Conference.

If you have questions about Food Checkout Day, please contact a council member or advisor.

Thank you so much for your participation in Food Checkout Day!!

Click here for more information on the Statewide Service Project, Food Checkout Day