Youve heard the old saying, An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, its true nutritious food is good medicine. Food is one of our most basic needs.&bsp; Along with oxygen, water, and shelter, it is necessary for human survival.

In a nation as affluent as the United States, no child should go hungry. Yet every day hunger disrupts the lives of one in five children in North Carolina.

Hunger is a problem hiding&bsp; in plain sight in North Carolina whether it involves skipping meals, eating less than is needed to live a healthy life, or making do with foods that are filling but not nutritious.

Feeding America, a hunger relief organization, released the results of its first analysis of food insecurity in early childhood.&bsp; North Carolina ranks the second worst state in the nation when it comes to children under five lacking regular access to nutritious food and 10th worst for children of all ages.

To help fill the shelves at Thermal Belt Outreach as well as the bellies of our young people here in the county, Polk County 4-H is sponsoring a food drive the week of its annual fall BBQ supper. Organizers say they are hoping to Fill the Truck to Feed the Hungry. Look for a red Nissan pick up with the banner parked downtown Columbus the week of October 18 and at the 4-H Center on the 22 the night of the BBQ supper.

Polk County 4-H is hoping to reach its goal of filling the truck with nutritious foods to donate to Thermal Belt Outreach. You may also drop food items off at the Cooperative Extension Service Office from now until the 22 of October. For more information call 828-894-8218.