4-H shops with a purpose at Stewart’s

On Nov. 12, five teams of children descended on Stewart’s Grocery Store with only one goal in mind: Buying food for the hungry of our community.

For 15 years now, the store has played host to the Annual 4-H Super Market Sweepstakes. The children, representing 4-H clubs from across Young County, with a parent volunteer, had 30 minutes to buy as many groceries as possible. They had a spending limit of $75 and did not have to worry about taxes.

The event was overseen by 4-H Coordinator Penny Berend who tallied up the results. The food was donated to the First Baptist Church of Olney’s Food Pantry and will be used right here in our community.

“Even if you didn’t make first place, you’re all winners in my eyes,” said Melissa Partin, Stewart’s supervisor on duty at the time. She went on to praise the children for the hard work that they did to help the less fortunate.

After a very harrowing adventure in which large swaths of the store had empty shelves, Ms. Berend announced the results.

In fifth place was Olney 4-H with 65 items.

In fourth place was Lonestar Group B with 77 items.

In third place was Lonestar Group A with 107 items.

In second place was Salt Fork with 121 items. And in first place was Renewed with 145 items. The children enjoyed themselves and were even allowed to scan and sack their own groceries. The total donation was 515 items for just under $375.

“Aside from the number of items, teams were encouraged to think about the different food groups and how items related to Myplate [a nutrition guide], as well as how foods would potentially be used when thinking about planning meals for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner,” Ms. Berend said..

The annual event was organized more than 15 years ago by Misti Ondricek and Mitzi Riggins who served in management roles at the Orth 4-H Club, now known as Olney 4-H, Ms. Berend said.

“From these ladies implanting the program to efforts made by Julie Hinson to sustain the program and now Kaci Creel who is excited to make sure it continues, Young County 4-H looks forward to this fun opportunity each year ... and we know that their efforts are for a great cause in helping those in need,” she said.

The project supports many of the 4-H members’ food and nutrition project goals as they’ve been cooking bi-weekly and preparing for food contests since early September, Ms. Berend said.

It also highlights the 4-H Consumer Decision Making Contest coming up this spring as members will learn more about the importance of budgeting, how to shop within a budget, price comparison, and decision making, she said.