Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 25, 2008
Contact: Gretchen May, Extension Educator 4-H
413-577-0332, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

“4-H Cares About Community” Food Drive Launches October 5

[NOTE TO EDITORS AND NEWS DIRECTORS: A list of local 4-H contacts is attached. Contact the office closest to you, and the 4-H staff will refer you to specific 4-H members and volunteers involved with the food drive, as well as to food panties and shelters being served. Consider a local feature story or human interest piece – the need to replenish food stocks is great and the results of the drive last year were surprisingly strong. Great photo/video opportunities.]

Massachusetts 4-H is seeking food donations to benefit area shelters and pantries as part of its “4-H Cares About Community” food drive, which begins October 5. Sponsored by Cumberland Farms, the food drive coincides with the start of National 4-H Week.

4-H club members and adult volunteers all across Massachusetts will be collecting food and donating it directly to their local pantries and shelters – many of which have reported depleted food reserves recently. Additionally, Cumberland Farms stores statewide, will have collection boxes available from October 27 through November 15 to accept donations of non-perishable items, which 4-Hers will also be transporting to those in need.

One in every seven Massachusetts residents lacks adequate food, according to the USDA and US Census Bureau. That is nearly 450,000 people in the Commonwealth alone. Hunger is on the rise and the Project Bread Status Report on Hunger in Massachusetts reports that the prevalence of hunger in low-income communities has reached an all-time high. With the current economy and winter approaching, many more families will need to choose between heat and food this year.

Those who would like to donate food, but don’t know a 4-H member or have no Cumberland Farms store nearby, are being encouraged to call a local 4-H office, to visit the 4-H website at www.mass4H.org, or to call 1- 800-374-4446 for details, suggestions of food items, and information on how to help 4-H reach those in need. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated and can be sent to a local 4-H office, payable to the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation.

“With a difficult winter approaching, thousands of people need your assistance and 4-H thanks you for any help you can give,” noted UMass Extension 4-H Educator Gretchen May.

Last year, 4-H clubs in Massachusetts collected more than six tons of food for area shelters and food pantries.

MA 4-H is a youth development program of UMass Amherst Extension, University Outreach. National 4-H Headquarters, which operates out of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is the federal partner of 4-H programs and is implemented by the Cooperative Extension System of the nation’s 106 land-grant colleges and universities and is located in 3,150 communities across the nation.

4-H Local Contacts

Barnstable Office:
        Jude Vollmer   508-375-6696   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
        Kerry Bickford 508-375-6695   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Plymouth Office
        Molly Vollmer    781-293-3541 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
        Sam Fox            781-293-3541 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Northeast Office
        Wendy Marcks   781-891-0650 ext 29   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
        Pam Lefave        781-891-0650 ext 15 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
        Va Shon Wallace Hiltpold 781-891-0650 ext 30   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Norfolk/Bristol Office
        Jay Field    508-668-9793   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Worcester Office
        Lorraine Kiritsis 508-831-1223 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hampden/Hampshire/Franklin Office
        Tom Waskiewicz   413-545-0611 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Berkshire Office
        Angelica Parades 413-448-8285 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gretchen May 
Extension Educator 4-H 
UMass Extension 
University of Massachusetts 
101 University Drive, Ste C1 Amherst, MA 01002-2376 
413-577-0332 
413-545-6555 fax 
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

UMass Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Contact your local Extension office for information on disability accommodations or the UMass Extension Director if you have concerns related to discrimination, 413-545-4800.