Farm Rich Encourages "Kids Who Give"

Farm Rich, the maker of delicious appetizers, is demonstrating that heroes come in all sizes – even kid size. In 2011, the nation’s No. 1 seller of breaded cheese sticks again honored outstanding young volunteers who have made a positive difference and helped change communities and the lives of others for the better.

The second annual Farm Rich “Kids Who Give” contest rewarded youths from ages 7 through 17 who have made the world a better place by raising both awareness and funds for causes close to their hearts.

The following 2011 grand prize winners were selected by a panel of judges:

• Rujul Zaparde (14-17 age category), of Plainsboro, N.J., started the nonprofit organization “Drinking Water for India” to build tube-wells in remote Indian villages. To date, the group has funded and built 31 wells, which have given more than 55,000 villagers access to clean water. Rujul actually goes to India when school is not in session to assist well installation by the local Indian volunteers he’s organized. In addition, there now are more than 450 students from 23 schools across the United States actively involved in the cause.
• Mariah Reynolds (11-13 age category), of Cincinnati, Ohio, started volunteering at age 6 and has logged nearly 5,300 volunteer hours while raising almost $30,000. She has created three nonprofit organizations: “Just One Heart,” which sends Valentine’s Day cards to veterans and active servicemen and servicewomen; “gLOVE One Another,” which collects hats, scarves and gloves for shelters, churches and schools; and “Heal the Soul,” which gives MP3 players and iPods to sick children.
• Ricky Springer (7-10 age category), of McDonough, Ga., is a racing kart enthusiast who started “Racing for a Cause” to raise awareness of eosinophilic colitis, a disorder from which he suffers. His nonprofit movement has educated nearly 3 million people about the disease, while raising more than $4,000 for the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders. A local news outlet recently featured Ricky as a recipient of the Farm Rich “Kids Who Give” award.

In addition, ballots were cast nationwide in June to select a Fan Favorite among all entries, and young Nathan Hickey, of Monrovia, Calif., garnered the most votes. In support of the Pablove Foundation, which fights childhood cancer, Nathan formed “Mountain Biking for Pablove” to raise money for kids battling the disease. He races his mountain bike for Team Pablove from March through September and joins the last leg of the “Pablove Across America” cross-country bike ride in October.

Among the young standouts from 2010, the contest’s inaugural year, was Nathan Earl, of Lafayette, Ind. Earl established The Henry Tucker Foundation, which support families of sick children, and raised more than $75,000 in memory of his cousin. Meanwhile, Olivia Stinson, of Charlotte, N.C., was recognized for starting the PEN Pals Book Club and Support Group, which promotes literacy and community service for children of incarcerated parents.

Award winners received donation amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500 to contribute to the charity of their choice. They were also awarded a special Farm Rich prize package valued at approximately $300, along with a personal gift card. The three grand prize winners plus one guardian each received an all-expense-paid trip to New York City for the “Kids Who Give” awards dinner.

The contest brings the Farm Rich brand to life and helps kids identify with what is most important in this world – making a difference. More information is available at Kids Who Give.