For the second year, tractors large and small paraded across southern Warren County on a journey to collect food items and monetary donations for local food pantries.
The Journey for Charity …
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For the second year, tractors large and small paraded across southern Warren County on a journey to collect food items and monetary donations for local food pantries.
The Journey for Charity Tractor Cruise collects food and donations from spectators and churches along its route, which in Warren County follows Highway 94 from Concord Hill to Augusta. The donations are contributed to community pantries in Warren and Franklin counties.
The tractor cruise is based on a Franklin County event that was started 13 years ago, and was expanded to Warren County last year by area Knights of Columbus councils who organize the event.
Warren County organizer Rick Mueller said 58 tractors drove in northern route of the cruise this year, compared to 34 last year. And unlike last year, rain didn’t keep spectators away.
“I’m amazed at the amount of people that came out. We saw a lot of people out along the roads,” Mueller commented.
Despite the improved turnout here, Mueller said the combined donations collected from Warren and Franklin counties didn’t match last year’s intake. The two routes collected roughly 3,800 pounds of food, compared to about 7,000 pounds last year.
“Our food collection and donation numbers are down from last year. Not surprising, given the COVID situation,” Mueller said.
Monetary donations are still coming in, but as of Monday afternoon were at $26,600, compared to a total $36,400 donated last year.
Food and finances collected from the tractor cruise are distributed among seven regional food pantries, including the Southern Warren and St. Charles County Food Pantry in Marthasville.
Mueller said local Knights of Columbus councils will continue collecting monetary donations through the end of this month. The final contributions will be distributed in October.
Even though the Journey for Charity only happens once a year, Mueller encouraged churches and community members to continue collecting food for their local pantries year round. And despite the slow collections this year, he said he was glad to see increasing interest from Warren County residents.
“There were several (drivers) who came up, who had heard about it last year. ... It sounded like several from last year talked it up,” Mueller said. “It’s fun to drive. Although a little long to be sitting on a tractor.”
He added thanks to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Warren County Sheriff’s Department and St. Charles County Police Department for providing traffic control assistance.
For the spectators along the route, the tractor cruise was a fun outing where they could contribute to a good cause.
“This is the first year we’ve done this,” said Andy Aholt, who came with his family to Marthasville to watch the tractors. It was a good activity for the kids to enjoy with their grandpa, he commented.
Katie Aholt added that they came out after seeing an ad for the tractor cruise on social media, and that they like to contribute to food collections.
“(Our daughter) collected canned goods for her summer camp this year ... to show them what it’s like to go out and donate,” she said.
