Marion County 4-H Endowment Fund and Marion County Food Bank recently received donations totaling $1,600 from Mid-Kansas Cooperative Assn.

Since 2006, MKC has provided funds for area 4-H Leadership Development Programs.

“Many of today’s youth will become the future leaders of our rural communities,” MKC communications specialist Kerry Watson said. “We are proud to play a role in the development of those future leaders.”

In recent months, area food pantries have seen an increase in requests for assistance due to the struggling economy. In an effort to assist these programs, MKC committed $15,700 to be distributed to food programs in nine different counties.

“Supporting these types of programs is another way MKC can help to improve the quality of life in our communities,” Watson said.