Mississippi Farm Bureau Women Support Ronald McDonald House Charities with Monetary Donation and Supplies
Members of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) State Women’s Leadership Committee, joined by Farm Bureau women and volunteers from counties across the state, recently demonstrated their commitment to serving Mississippi families by donating $7,165 and carloads of much-needed supplies to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi in Jackson.
The annual donation was presented at the Ronald McDonald House on the campus of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where families from across the state stay while their children receive critical medical care. The supplies—collected by County Farm Bureau offices, local businesses, schools, and community partners—included household items, food, and other essentials that help provide comfort to families during some of their most difficult moments.
“Today we have ladies from all over the state presenting supplies for Ronald McDonald House,” said Renee Keith, chair of the MFBF State Women’s Leadership Committee. “Each county Farm Bureau office did donations—monetary donations or supplies—and we just presented a check for $7,165, plus the value of the supplies that you see behind us.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi has served families since 1989, offering a “home away from home” for parents and caregivers whose children are hospitalized in Jackson. The organization supports families from all 82 Mississippi counties, helping ease the financial and emotional strain that often accompanies long-term medical care.
Jane Harkins, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi, emphasized the importance of both the tangible donations and the awareness generated by Farm Bureau women across the state.
“It means a lot in several different ways,” Harkins said. “Of course, the donations—the cash donations, the food, the supply donations—help tremendously. But the awareness means a lot to us because a lot of people forget that we are here.”
Harkins noted that while Ronald McDonald House Charities receives some support from the national organization, the majority of its operating budget depends on fundraising efforts within Mississippi.
“We support the whole state of Mississippi,” she said. “All 82 counties—if families wind up in hospitals in the Jackson area, their kids and their families are more than welcome to stay with us. We want people to know we’re here. We want them to know we’re a resource, and we also want others to know that we are a charity in need of support.”
For the State Women’s Leadership Committee, the cause is deeply personal. Many committee members have experienced firsthand the relief Ronald McDonald House provides to families navigating medical crises.
“There’s not many ladies across the state that have not been affected in some shape, form, or fashion by a family member needing assistance from Ronald McDonald House, me included,” Keith said. “These families don’t need to be concerned about where they’re going to stay, what supplies they need, or food to eat. They just need to care for their child, and that’s what we want to do—take a burden off of them.”
The annual donation effort is the result of months of coordination by Farm Bureau women at both the state and county levels. Even those unable to attend the presentation contribute by organizing collections in their local communities.
“We have ladies from all over the state that are very passionate about this,” Keith said. “They’ll collect donations through schools or different community efforts and bring supplies here. That way, even if they can’t be here today, their county is still a part of this. We’ve been doing this for decades.”
Over the years, committee members have watched the Ronald McDonald House expand its facilities to better serve families, adding beds, kitchen space, dining areas, and play spaces for children.
“It’s been wonderful to see how much they are trying to accommodate parents who have sick children,” Keith said. “Getting involved with Ronald McDonald House is something you won’t regret. If you can take one burden off a family facing enough trials already, that’s our objective.”
Through their continued service and support, Mississippi Farm Bureau women remain dedicated to strengthening communities and caring for families across the state—one donation, one volunteer effort, and one act of compassion at a time.