Kansas City Chief Trey Smith Kicks Off Summer Meal Program in Hardeman County
Hardeman County had a visit from Super Bowl royalty when Kansas City Chiefs’ Trey Smith joined the Southwest Human Resource Agency (SWHRA) for the Kickoff of the Southwest HRA Summer Meal Program for Kids that was held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the courthouse. The stop in Hardeman County was one of eight Mr. Smith and the SWHRA made to promote the Summer Nutrition Programs (SUN) that were established to ensure children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.
Citizens, city and county officials, and other dignitaries – Trey Smith fans, Kansas City Chief fans, football fans – filled the Hardeman County Courthouse to catch a glimpse of Mr. Smith who shared more about the importance of SUN and the availability of the programs to families during school vacations, primarily in the summer months from May to August.
“I ate a lot of food growing up. A lot of times, people who are blessed and are fortunate take that for granted. You don’t think about people who are less fortunate and don’t have access to food, that are actually going hungry. That’s real,” said Mr. Smith. “For any cause that is bringing awareness to it, but also impacting it in a beneficial way, I definitely want to champion that and be a part of that effort. In my childhood, I didn’t have to face that. No child should have to face that, so I think it is important to bring exposure that there are children that are going through that, and I want to make a change. I can’t thank SWHRA enough for the work they are doing.”
Mr. Smith also shared that one in four children go hungry when school breaks out in the summer.
“That breaks my heart,” said Mr. Smith who is in his first year working with the SWHRA SUN programs. “I hope my participation helps bring light to the cause and getting these kids fed by bringing them more meals.”
SWHRA Executive Director Mike Smith encouraged vacation Bible schools, summer camps, sports programs, any entity that works with school age children, to partner with the SWHRA.
“If a child is of school age, they can get two free meals in a day. We need this community to step up and help us find sites [with children who can benefit from the program]. We will prepare the meal, deliver the meal, and you can help us feed those children,” said Mike Smith, who expressed his appreciation to Mr. Smith for his participation during the kickoff. “Trey is a gentle giant, a man of faith, a man of God. You can go in all different directions, but you came in the direction of West Tennessee today and we are eternally grateful for you doing that.“
Mike Smith again addressed those in attendance.
“So, let’s give him [Trey] a standing ovation,” said Mike Smith as the audience applauded Mr. Smith. “It’s all about feeding the children, so let’s work together. Together we can do great things.”
A special presentation to Mr. Smith from Hardeman County Mayor Todd Pulse included a “coin for the county” – a commemorative Hardeman County bicentennial coin.
“I appreciate your commitment to the youth. What you do is give back and that shows the kind of man you are, and the heart you have,” said Mayor Pulse addressing Mr. Smith.
Trey Smith graciously stayed after speaking to sign autographs on paper and footballs, as well as take pictures with every single person who wanted to capture the moment with the Super Bowl star.
If you know of a school age child or have a group, program, or organization that has school age children in attendance that would benefit from being served by the SUN, contact the SWHRA at (731) 989-5111 for more information.
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