Kentucky FFA Members Fight Hunger in Their Communities this Holiday Season

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot about life this year, but one thing that has held steady is the commitment of Kentucky FFA members to supporting their communities.

Food drives are an annual tradition for many FFA chapters across the state, and members refused to let social distancing and virtual school put a damper on this important activity in 2020.

Normally the Franklin County FFA chapter holds a Thanksgiving food drive that takes place at school, with students bringing in donations. Since no one was physically coming to school in Franklin county this November, the chapter had to figure out how to change their approach.

Chapter reporter Madison Cheek organized and executed a zero-contact Thanksgiving food drive by asking local businesses and organizations in the community to become partners. She placed collection totes at partner locations, providing a spot where people could donate non-perishable food items.

The biggest challenge was getting the word out and encouraging community members to donate. Madison made flyers and online advertisements, and the donations started coming in. Thanks to her hard work, the chapter collected over two carloads of food that the local Salvation Army used to fill Thanksgiving baskets.

Great Crossing High School in Scott County happened to be meeting in person for school while their FFA chapter held its food drive. Social distancing protocols could have put a wrinkle in their plans, but instead, they used the opportunity to get creative. FFA members planned multiple incentives and created a virtual assembly to announce the winners. Guest speakers included Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, Miss Kentucky, and the chapter’s FFA president, Whitney Bailey. All told, the Great Crossing FFA chapter collected 4,857 food items and $2,300.53 to benefit the Amen House in Georgetown.

Great Crossing and Franklin County certainly aren’t the only chapters who have figured out how to support their local communities during 2020. Across the state, FFA members, led by their agriculture teachers, have been quietly stepping up to the plate and helping their communities through historically difficult times.

Agriculture hasn’t stopped for the pandemic, and the next generation of leaders are learning that they don’t have to stop either. In the face of challenge, they have kept their focus and pivoted to new ways of doing things. Their leadership and persistence have been bright spots in a trying year, and gives us all hope for the great things yet to come.

Photos:

Franklin County 3 – Sett Carr, Franklin County FFA chapter treasurer, Madison Cheek, Franklin County FFA chapter reporter, and Erica Baxter, one of the two FFA advisors at Franklin County High School with the food donated through the Franklin County FFA food drive.

Great Crossing - Left to Right: Whitney Bailey, Hannah Rowland, Tye Wickline, Ashley Kidwell, Will Barrett, Shea McGohon, Jack Steffen, Montana Tabor, Griffin Hoover, and Jard Schalnus.