IGNITE THE SPIRIT: Local 4-H club partners with others in free meal

A group of 4-Hers in Adair County last week learned for themselves that it is better to give than to receive when they were able to ignite the spirit and assist in planning and carrying out a free community meal served at the 4-H/FFA Building on the fairgrounds Wednesday, Dec. 11.

The Adair County Hot Shots, with the help of the Adair County Fair Board, Cafe on the Hill of Guthrie Center and Iowa Select Farms, served sliced pork loin and all the fixings to an estimated over 400 people.

Jayne Lents' son, Shawn Lents, works at Iowa Select Farms, which is how the Hot Shots learned of a grant through the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, which awarded the Adair County Hot Shots four cases of pork loins and a monetary gift for this meal. Iowa Select Farms believes everyone deserves a good meal, especially during the holidays.

“As Iowa Select Farms, we are proud of the product we produce,” the company said. “Pork is a lean, powerful protein that nourishes bodies young and old. It is easy to prepare, full of flavor and versatile.”

The club wanted to do a community meal to reach everyone. Having helped serve at the Hebron God’s Portion Supper, they knew how to get that done.

Sarah Messinger, a Greenfield native who owns Cafe on the Hill, provided the sides for the meal, including mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, pasta salad using Bonnie Stalder’s recipe and dinner rolls.

“I love to do things in my hometown,” Messinger said. “This felt really good.”

Desserts were made by 4-Hers, members of the Adair County Fair Board, Kendalynn Huff and other volunteers.

Curtis Nelson smoked the pork loins that were served and provided by Iowa Select Farms.“[Curtis] was a big help in getting this community meal off and going,” Adair County Hot Shots club leader Lisa Rardin said.

Hot Shots Club President Chloe Rardin, who is also Adair County Pork Queen, exclaimed that it was good to see all the 4-Hers learning to serve and seeing smiling faces.

“The main goal of this was to Ignite the Christmas spirit and spread holiday cheer,” said Chloe Rardin. “With this supper, the mission was accomplished. We can’t wait for next year.”