By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

With the Ellis County fair in full swing 4H’ers once again are taking turns working the concession stand.

But this year the youth are working toward a greater goal — replacing the aging food stand.

Last year, the Ellis County 4-H Council began the Raise the Roof on the 4-H Food Stand project to replace the nearly 40-year-old building.

Michelle Thacker, leader of the Good Hope 4-H Club and chairwoman of the New Food Stand Committee, said the building was never meant to be a permanent structure, and it was used because it was available.

“The need has existed for many years to either upgrade or replace the facility,” she said.

According to Thacker, the group found it would be better to replace the building instead of upgrading the structure.

The council’s goal is to raise $50,000 for the new building and fundraising efforts are already underway.

Thacker said they are beginning their big push for fundraising. Currently, they are selling Ellis County 4-H T-shirts with all of the proceeds going toward the project.

They also recently began a letter-writing campaign contacting 4-H families and former 4-H members soliciting donations.

The council hopes to meet its goal by Sept. 15. If they cannot, the project will be pushed back until next year.

The 4-H council is working with students from the Institute of Applied Technology and Instructor Kris Munsch.

Each year, the Fort Hays State University students build a garage and, according to Thacker, the students would be allowed to help them build the food stand this year instead.

Thacker added many of the 4-H youth said the food stand is a highlight of fair time, and it also gives the kids with skills they can apply later on in life.

“This food stand serves as a training ground. It prepares these kids to deal with the public, it helps them understand how to count money and it helps them understand how to prepare food and some of the rules and regulations that go into that,” Thacker said.