On Saturday, March 9, the Warren County 4-H Teen Leaders group hosted an educational event for 4-H members and their families, as well as for community members. The event was a Hunger Dinner, which was an immersion event to show that in every community there are people of different circumstances, and even though we may not see it, there is an issue of food insecurity right here in Warren County.

One hundred people were invited to the event. Upon arrival, each person drew their character with 50 percent of attendees drawing a low-income persona, 20 percent drawing a middle-income persona and 20 percent drawing a high-income persona. The final 10 percent drawing was an in-between income-level because here in Warren County about 10 percent of the population fluctuates between low and middle-income levels depending on the time of year. This split of income levels for the immersion event was a good representation of the population in the county where, according to Michelle Bernth, executive director of AGAPE, one in four children experiences food insecurity.

During the immersion event, each income level was provided with a meal that would be similar to what people in the various income levels would possibly eat on a daily basis. This allowed people to experience different levels of food security and insecurity. Following the meal, the teens hosted a discussion for people to share how this made them feel.

While the event was free, everyone that attended the event was asked to bring a donation for AGAPE. A large assortment of dry goods was collected, as well as a lot of personal hygiene items. Additionally, one of the 4-H clubs donated nearly $400 to the food pantry, while another club donated 48 birthday bags which are given out at the food pantry to parents who need help with what is needed to celebrate their child's birthday. The bags include all the ingredients needed to make a birthday cake including frosting and candles, and it also includes a birthday card.