Wayne County Junior Fair Board gearing up for Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer Contest

The Wayne County Junior Fair Board is gearing up for its fourth annual Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer Contest to stock local food pantries.

Presented by Farm Credit Mid-America and sponsored by its consumer lending division, Rural 1st, the contest challenges junior fair youth across the state to see which community can collect the most food donations.

Across Ohio, the Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer Contest has coordinated more than 500,000 pounds of donations to rural food banks. All prize money awarded is intended to support youth fair activities.

Besides doing good for the community, there are prizes too. All participating junior fairs will receive a $500 prize. Whichever junior fair collects the most pounds of food items receives a $5,000 donation. This money can be used to support junior fair activities. The junior fair board members plan to do a radio advertisement to help gather more donations. They are committed to making the most impact across the Wayne County community.

In 2024 the Wayne County Junior Fair Board collected about 1,220 pounds of food to donate to food pantries. This year the members are looking to build on that success with the community’s help to make the best impact possible.

To donate, bring nonperishable food items to the marked trailer at the Wayne County Fair Sept. 6-11, located at the entrance gate by the horse arena. This year all donations collected will support Wayne County food banks.

Ways to be involved

—New to the contest this year is the inclusion of fresh protein from donated animals.

—Monetary donations will be collected until Sept. 1, with all proceeds used to purchase nonperishable items to be added to the trailer during the week of the fair.

—Junior fair board members will create donation boxes to collect nonperishable items leading up to fair week for local businesses to set out. Watch its Facebook for updates on donation drop locations.

For questions or to get involved, call the Wayne County Extension Office at 330-264-8722 or contact any member of the Wayne County Junior Fair Board.