(Greensburg, IN) – Greensburg Community Bread of Life, INC., is excited to announce that their annual Farmers Feeding the Flock fundraiser is getting underway!
Bread of Life is partnering with local Smiley Farms, who will be providing the 30-acre field for the eighth year of this event.
Jim Stewart will be overseeing this year’s steering committee, contributing his expertise and knowledge to make this year’s event a huge success.
The Farmers Feeding the Flock project has three main objectives:
- To partner with local farmers to raise funds for the services offered by Greensburg Community Bread of Life.
- To promote Decatur County agriculture, as agriculture is a crucial part of our community.
- To utilize our partnership with Smiley Farms to educate the community about the costs and risks associated with farming, the environmental benefits of responsible farming practices, and about the harvest process.
The Farmers Feeding the Flock event has become an annual staple to the Greensburg area, with each year’s harvest celebration being a highlight in the community. Partnerships with past local farms include 1834 Evans Family Farms, John and Adele Corya, S & G Farms, Hulsbosch Dairy Farm, Shirk Family Farm, Fogg Family Farm, and Brewsaugh Family Farm.
Crops from these farms have varied from soybeans to corn to sileage and have provided numerous opportunities for education about harvesting processes in Decatur County. Greensburg Community Bread of Life is grateful to all these local farmers and their commitment to serving their neighbors through their gracious and generous partnerships for this annual event.
Smiley Farms, this year’s field donors, are well known for their long-standing commitment to bettering their community. The Smiley family has increased their energy-savings, efficiency, and safety of operations over recent years. Committed to education, safety, and environmentally efficient practices, The Smiley Family has been an important and impactful part of Decatur County since 1955. Greensburg Community Bread of Life is proud to partner with them for this year’s Farmers Feeding the Flock event and are thankful for their outstanding support shown by their field donation.
This event has been highly successful since its beginning in 2018, due to Merrill Smith’s passion and leadership along with the generosity of local businesses, organizations, and individuals partnering to sponsor one or more acres of farmland by donating to Bread of Life. Local agricultural businesses have also been incredibly supportive each year by donating inputs for the field. Each year, Bread of Life is overwhelmed by the community’s support of their mission of “serving together to meet our neighbors’ needs” and are optimistic that this year will be no exception.
For those not familiar with Greensburg Community Bread of Life, the organization was founded in 2002 and is deeply invested in the well-being of Decatur County. Melissa Foist, director, began her mission after a gentleman told her about his struggles with food insecurity. Melissa founded and led Bread of Life in its first meal service in August 2002, serving 13 meals.
Today, Greensburg Community Bread of Life is a crucial resource to all, serving meals each Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday to battle food insecurity in the area, offering emergency clothing resources through their Garments of Grace program, and offering educational opportunities through their RISE life-skills classes.
Greensburg Community Bread of Life has come a long way in its 22-year history. In 2024, Bread of Life served 29,935 hot meals from their kitchen, provided Decatur County residents with an additional 18,702 meals through their distribution of 2,078 weekend food boxes, and provided clothing services to 109 individuals.
The organization also offered opportunities for the community to learn life skills from small machine maintenance to cooking classes. The organization remains committed to those living in Decatur County, determined to meet the needs of their neighbors and never charging for services.
All funds raised by the Farmers Feeding the Flock event will go towards funding Greensburg Community Bread of Life’s endeavors to continue offering services to their neighbors in need. As shared by Bread of Life staff, “We are excited for this year’s Farmers Feeding the Flock event, and to continue serving our community. It is the dedication of our volunteers, community partners, and generous supporters that make our work possible.”
Farmers Feeding the Flock updates will be provided regularly though Bread of Life’s website, local media, and social media outlets. The process will allow for learning about farming in Decatur County, the Smiley Farm field’s progress, and will serve as a reminder that local farms play a huge role in our local economy. Supporters are encouraged to keep an eye open for signs at Smiley Farms, located at Hwy 46 and County Road 600 West and watch this year’s field growth.
If you would like to participate in Bread of Life’s mission through volunteering, learn about the organization, or find out more about the Farmers Feeding the Flock event, please call Greensburg Community Bread of Life’s office at (812) 663-1055, visit their website at www.greensburgbreadoflife.com, or email greensburgbreadoflife@etczone.com.
(Greensburg Community Bread of Life press release)
