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Published November 22, 2011, 06:55 AM

4-H members work to refill area food pantries

Members of 4-H clubs across the county are joining to “Stock the Stock Trailer,” and in doing so, stock the shelves at food pantries too. The 280 Stutsman County 4-Hers plan to gather donated food and personal hygiene items from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29.

Members of 4-H clubs across the county are joining to “Stock the Stock Trailer,” and in doing so, stock the shelves at food pantries too.

The 280 Stutsman County 4-Hers plan to gather donated food and personal hygiene items from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29.

“The kids felt that there’s a need in Jamestown, Stutsman County,” said Deb Hatlewick, 4-H coordinator for the North Dakota State University Extension Service in Jamestown.

Marissa Cofield, 17, said she sees people in her church struggling with finances and putting food on the table. Food prices are going up, said her sister, Mikeala, so the two want residents to know their donations help people in need.

Seventeen-year-old Katelyn Wendel of LaMoure said she plans to travel door-to-door, asking neighbors to donate to the cause. She and the other 18 members of the Country Critters 4-H group based out of Montpelier hope to raise 2,000 items, she said.

“It’s the holidays and you want everyone to have a good time and have enough food,” she said.

Similar to the Fill the Dome event in Fargo and Pack the HAC (Hi-Liner Activity Center) in Valley City, the goal is to fill the 24-foot trailer and then divide the donations evenly amongst the food pantries at Community Action Region 6 and the Salvation Army.

The trailer, donated by Sparks Custom Trailers, in Jamestown, will be parked in front of the Civic Center for residents to drop off their goods. Residents can also drop off their items beforehand at the NDSU Extension office downtown, Hatlewick said.

Ten-year-old Katie Osborne of rural Wimbledon is part of Prairie Pals which also meets in Montpelier. She said she intends to give canned goods and boxed cereal to the drive.

“For the homeless, so they can have a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner,” she said.

4-H members hope to gather non-perishable food items, toiletries, holiday baking supplies or even cash.

For more information, contact Hatlewick at 252-9030.

Sun reporter Katie Ryan-Anderson can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by email at kryan-anderson@jamestownsun.com

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