Husker Harvest Days, in partnership with the Heartland United Way, will continue its tradition of supporting an annual food drive, sponsored by Conduit, in Grand Island, Nebraska. The event will be held Sept. 10-12, 2024.

For this year’s event, FFA members from across the state will donate at least five nonperishable food items and receive free entry to the show. In 2023, 112 FFA chapters participated in the food drive, resulting in enough food for about 12,500 meals.

"Food insecurity in rural Nebraska remains a significant challenge, with many families struggling to put meals on the table due to limited access to resources,” said Karen Rathke, Heartland United Way president. “The impact of hunger extends beyond just empty stomachs; it affects the well-being, health, and future potential of our communities. Supporting the Husker Harvest Days food drive is a vital way to ensure that our neighbors don't have to choose between paying bills and feeding their families."

The food drive will also extend to local grocery stores in Hall, Hamilton, Merrick and Howard counties during the show week. All Husker Harvest Days attendees are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items at the show or at participating groceries stores.

“We are committed to creating a world free of hunger,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events director. “Husker Harvest Days is an opportunity to support that mission locally in the state of Nebraska. We are honored to partner with the United Way, FFA and Conduit to serve the food insecure in rural America.”

To learn more about Heartland United Way and to donate funds, visit heartlandunitedway.org.

Husker Harvest Days will be held Sept. 10-12, 2024, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Gates are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register for complimentary three-day entry to the event and to learn more, please visit HuskerHarvestDays.com.