Every cause can benefit from a little spectacle, and an accompanying press release.
Since the late 1940s one of its most important programs has been CROP, now a hunger relief fund-raising program, but founded to receive donations of agricultural produce from American farmers for the world's hungry. A dedication service for this shipment was held September 14 at Edinburg, Indiana at the Union Starch and Refining Company where the syrup is packaged. Commodities collected during harvests and other contributions will provide shipments of food and self-help materials later this year or in 1963 for refugees, people in indigent areas, disaster victims and for those suffering from malnutrition. The photo accompanying the press releases shows the marching band in front of the box cars full of syrup. Such a local spectacle attracts the attention of potential donors, makes farmers feel better about their gifts, and lends an air of festivity and middle American wholesomeness to the enterprise.