HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Residents can earn free gate passes to the Kansas State Fair by donating one hour of their time to help pack 25,000 meals on Kansas Cares Day at the fair on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Sponsored by Dillons and benefiting the Kansas Food Bank, this Pack Shack “Feed the Funnel” event needs 150 volunteers across two packing sessions at 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m at Dillon Hall in the 4-H Encampment Building, near Gate 5 of the fairgrounds.

“Kansas Cares Day is a perfect opportunity for community-minded people to give back to fellow Kansans,” Bob Moeder, Interim General Manager, said. “Thanks to Dillons and our volunteers, a fun day at the fair can now also mean real help for those in our state who might not know how they’ll get their next meal.”

In addition to the meal packing event, fairgoers can donate blood at the Red Cross Bloodmobile. Reservations are encouraged and can be made through the “service projects” link on the home page of KansasStateFair.com.

Kansas Cares Day will also feature Power Chats by non-profit agencies and organizations that work to make Kansas a better place. Talks will be held in the House of Capper and include presentations on the Department of Children and Families, advocacy for work ending domestic violence and sexual assault, early childhood intervention programs, and community integration for people with disabilities.

To sign up for a time and receive free gate admission, visit kansasstatefair.com by Monday, Sept. 10.

Gate tickets will be available for pick up the day of the event at Gate 5.