Local farmers continue to respond to food insecurity issues. The Bushels for Hunger program is coordinated through Mercer, Henry, and Rock Island County Farm Bureaus. The effort donated another $21,000 to the River Bend Food Bank, which serves 23 counties in Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa. Mercer County farmer Jeff Kirwan participates in the program.
Participating elevators and ethanol plants include Atkinson Grain, Big River Resources, Cargill, CHS, Gold Star FS, Hillsdale Elevator, and River Valley Cooperative.