By Glenn K Turner
Extension Agent
    Sevier County 4-H members recently showed the spirit of giving through their participation in the 8th Annual 4-H Hooked on Helping Hunger Tuna drive to benefit the Sevier County Food Ministry.  This event is held annually in conjunction with the countywide 4-H officers workshop, where 235 4-H Officers received training.  This year all totaled Sevier County 4-H members donated 4000 cans of tuna and over $1300.00 to the food ministry.
    The goal of this annual project is to help 4-H members better understand hunger needs in our community.  Each 4-H member is encouraged to donate at least one can of tuna or .50 cents to the Food Ministry, which is now serving over 1,200 Sevier County families each week.
    Steve Streibig, director of the Food Ministry says, “We appreciate the contributions 4-H members make with this annual food drive.  The large donation of tuna each year enables us to provide a specialty item that is expensive for us to buy.  4-H members have proven to be faithful friends over the years with their annual tuna drive.”
    Since the projects inception eight years ago, 4-H members have donated over 31,000 cans of tuna and over $12,500 to the local food ministry.  As one 4-H member said, “That’s One Big Fish.”
    Many 4-H members are currently collecting and donating coats, gloves and toboggans for the Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries Coat distribution project.  Last year 4-H members donated over 1200 coats to this local effort which provides coats for those in need in Sevier County.  Coats will be distributed on Saturday, December 12, in Sevierville.  Donations of coats that are clean and in good condition can be made at the Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries office Court Avenue Sevierville.
    4-H is a community of young people developing life skills and providing service in their community.  4-H opportunities are available to all 4th through 12th grade young people in Sevier County.  In you need more information about 4-H in Sevier County please contact Glenn Turner at 453-3695.

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