When you attend the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show this week, you can be part of a hunger relief effort through a contribution to the Mid-South Food Bank.

Both cash contributions and non-perishable food items will be accepted at the show, to be held Friday and Saturday at the Memphis downtown Cook Convention Center.

“Nearly 50 million Americans — one in six — have inadequate food on a regular basis,” says Tim Price, Southern Cotton Ginners Association executive vice president and show manager. “Mid-South farmers and American agriculture are invested heavily in food security, and care deeply about defeating hunger. This effort is an expression of that compassion.”

Donations (cash or check) will be accepted at select locations in the show, with all contributions going to the Mid-South Food Bank.

“The South’s premier farm show is a perfect place for this humanitarian project,” Price says. “Each year farmers look to the companies at the show for the latest technology to improve yield and help them to better supply the world with food, fiber and fuel. The show offers an opportunity to highlight this critical food issue, engage farmers in the effort, and help insure that the Mid-South Food Bank has adequate supplies.”

In a complementary but separate effort, Syngenta will be collecting non-perishable food items at the show. Food donation barrels will be located near show entrances where items may be left. Suggestions for non-perishable food items include canned meats, tuna, stews, chicken and dumplings, chili, Spam, soups, peanut butter, canned fruits, canned vegetables and canned 100 percent fruit juice, as well as other non-perishable items.

“Farmers are keenly aware of the needs that exist in rural counties throughout the Mid-South,” Price says. “They view this campaign as a way to heighten awareness that hunger knows no county or state borders and to emphasize the importance of helping provide food for those who need it. We’re fortunate to have the Mid-South Food Bank to distribute food to those in need.”

The Mid-South Food Bank serves 200 agencies with 285 charitable feeding programs in 31 counties in the tri-state area of Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas, including many rural and farming communities. These agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth programs, rehabilitation centers, residential programs, senior programs and daycares.

For more information: http://www.midsouthfoodbank.org.