Scarecrows Against Hunger

Scarecrows Against Hunger is a grassroots campaign rooted in compassion, community, and a whole lot of straw. Founded by a quirky coalition of field-dwellers, the organization mobilizes scarecrows from across Iowa to raise awareness and support for local food insecurity initiatives.

Through creative public displays, food drives, and partnerships with hunger-fighting nonprofits like Together We Achieve and Made In Iowa, the movement brings humor, heart, and hay to the fight against hunger—one flannel-clad figure at a time.

We invite everyone to take a stand — literally and figuratively — for a better-fed Iowa.

We’ve spent our lives scaring off crows. It’s time we scared off hunger instead.

Bea Thistle, Head of Outreach and Garden Relations

It’s not easy being posted up 24/7. But if standing still with a goofy grin can help feed a family, we’re all in.

Rusty Strawman, Co-Chair of the Flannel Oversight Committee

Supporting the Scarecrow Festival at Made in Iowa

In an unprecedented show of solidarity, scarecrows from fields, gardens, and pumpkin patches across Iowa are putting down their post duties for a day to support Made in Iowa’s Oct 18th Market and Scarecrow Festival & Food Drive, in partnership with Together We Achieve.

The Scarecrow Festival, is a straw-filled movement created to raise awareness — and donations — for local food insecurity. Scarecrows from all walks of field life will be making their way (mostly via hayrides) to Hawkeye Downs to lend their support (and their stuffing) to the cause.

Event Details

Hawkeye Downs Expo Center
4400 6th St SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
$5 entry at the door or online.

Partner Charity

10% of ticket fees go to Together We Achieve

I’ve seen too many seasons pass with too little food on too many tables. This fall, we take a stand—for kindness, for community, and for casseroles.

Autumn “Patchy” McStuffins, Founding Member of the Gourd Governance Council

Calling all Scarecrows

We invite the public to participate in the Scarecrow Festival by creating a Scarecrow to be shown at the Market. Participation is free.

Individuals, local businesses, organizations, schools, and others are invited to create a scarecrow to be displayed. Whether you’re a kid, a teen, or an adult or a business, we want your most imaginative scarecrow creation on display at the market.

Use whatever materials you like — fabric, metal, recyclables, buttons, bottle caps whatever — to build your scarecrow.

In addition, numerous market vendors will have scarecrow related products too.

Get started by reviewing the About the Festival page then sign up here. Plus, they have tips on how to make your scarecrow here. Any questions? Contact Cindylou at cindylou@madeiniowa.org.

Governing Board

The board of Scarecrows Against Hunger may be stuffed with straw, but they’re full of big ideas. From hayride logistics to flannel coordination, they work tirelessly (and motionlessly) to rally fellow scarecrows, organize public displays, and rustle up donations. Whether patching up plans or fluffing up community spirit, this ragtag team of field dwellers stands tall for the cause—scaring off hunger one goofy grin at a time.

Bea Thistle

Head of Outreach and Garden Relations

Rusty Strawman

Co-Chair of the Flannel Oversight Committee

Autumn “Patchy” McStuffins

Founding Member of the Gourd Governance Council

Cornelius Hayward

Director of Strawtegic Initiatives

Contact Us

View our official Press Release about Scarecrows Against Hunger, Made in Iowa and the Scarecrow Festival on their site here.

Scarecrows Against Hunger is a 501(c) grassroots organization where 501 stands for the famous jeans and (c) stands for corn – but we are an equal opportunity organization willing to wear just about anything and representing not just corn but fields, gardens, and pumpkin patches across Iowa.

Get to know us better by following our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/scarecrowsagainsthunger/

For additional information about getting involved in our outreach programs, contact Bea Thistle at Bea@ScarecrowsAgainstHunger.org

For media interviews, contact Cornelius Hawyward at cornelius@ScarecrowsAgainstHunger.org