By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Collin County Farm Bureau recently made a record-breaking donation to the Allen Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry through Texas Farm Bureau’s Farmers Feeding Families program.

A heifer donated by Sandy Bedell, a rancher in Lucas and Collin County Farm Bureau member, resulted in 350 pounds of hamburger and stew meat, marking the largest meat donation the food bank has ever received.

For Bedell, the decision to donate was easy.

“I’ve always given to the food bank, but I wanted to give back in a bigger way. I took the heifer to be processed, and we dropped off the meat at the food bank,” Bedell said.

The Allen Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry serves families across the growing suburban community. As Collin County continues to grow, many residents may not realize the role agriculture plays in their daily lives. But donations like the one from Collin County Farm Bureau serves as a reminder that farmers and ranchers are committed to supporting their communities.

“There’s not a whole lot of farming and ranching happening in Collin County anymore, but I’ve lived here all my life, and I just wanted to help,” Bedell said.

Food insecurity remains a growing concern across Texas, with many families struggling to put nutritious meals on the table. Programs like Farmers Feeding Families help bridge the gap by connecting local farmers and ranchers with food banks in need.

“Some people just need help, and we have to help them,” Bedell said.

She noted Collin County Farm Bureau hopes to continue its involvement in the Farmers Feeding Families program and encourages other counties to stay involved, too.

The Farmers Feeding Families program, coordinated by Texas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee, encourages county Farm Bureaus to donate livestock, volunteer time, make monetary contributions and provide food items to local organizations.

For more information about the Farmers Feeding Families program or to learn how to donate, contact your county Farm Bureau or visit texasfarmbureau.org/fff.