Jason Aldean, Greenway Equipment team up to benefit food banks
Sikeston, MO - For the third consecutive year, Greenway Equipment and Jason Aldean are teaming up for an equipment giveaway as a fundraiser to benefit Southeast Missouri Food Bank and two Arkansas food banks. The promotion will run until April 9 when the drawing is held for a John Deere Gator and zero-turn mower Aldean used on his property near Nashville.
Proceeds from the promotion will benefit weekend backpack programs at Southeast Missouri Food Bank, Arkansas Food Bank in Little Rock and the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro. Together, the three food banks feed 4,600 children through their backpack programs, which send food home with deserving children each weekend. In southeast Missouri one in three children are at risk for hunger, but $175 can provide a backpack of food every weekend for one
child for an entire school year.
“The backpack program serves one of our more vulnerable and precious resources — children,'' said Greenway chief executive officer Marshall Stewart. “This program provides food for local hungry children on the weekend when other resources, such as school meals, are not available.”
Childhood hunger is 30 percent in the 16-county area served by the SEMO Food Bank.
“We know child hunger is a serious issue in southeast Missouri and are glad to be able to partner with more than 30 school districts to provide weekend backpacks of food to 1,167 students,” said Joey Keys, food bank chief executive officer. “We revamped that program at the beginning of this school year and were able to double the number of children being served.”
The drawings for the Gator and zero-turn mower will be held virtually April 9. The first individual drawn will have his/her choice between the Gator and mower. The second individual draw will win the remaining piece of equipment. A $10 donation is requested for each entry. Entries can be made through April 8 semofoodbank.org, gogreenway.com or by texting “GoBackpack” to 44321. Winner is responsible for freight/pickup and must pay taxes on equipment.