During the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, members have the opportunity to participate in service projects across the city of Indianapolis.
Throughout the week, approximately 3,000 members will spend their time participating in events that fit into the National FFA Living to Serve initiative. One of these is gathering to pack celebration boxes that will be delivered to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.
“Students are moving around to different stations in the room, collecting cake mix frosting, and they’re adding a can of soda,” says Logan Everett, a National FFA program specialist for the grant, scholarships and service division. “The soda replaces the need for eggs or oil in the cake mix. They’re also getting balloons, candles, birthday banners and a birthday card. Then, we’ll wrap all of those items up so they’ll be ready for donation.”
FFA members would not be able to participate in these service projects without corporate sponsors. A few of the sponsors, including Tractor Supply Co. and Cargill, were present at the celebration box service project on Oct. 23.
“I think doing something like this with a food bank in consideration is a huge part of our morals that we have at Cargill,” says Cargill Program Manager Charly Burnett. “We try to live in the community and make sure we have a base out there as well as in some other events.”
Through participating in service projects, members are able to give back and learn about how to make an impact in others’ lives. Giles FFA member Colton Moy, for example, attended this event to see how he can adapt it to his community in Virginia, which is still in vital need of hurricane relief.
“It’s just a great opportunity,” Moy says. “We’ve seen a need in our own community and we feel the call to help those who are in need.”
Through spending his evening packing celebration boxes, Anderson Shiro FFA member Jesse Butler learned about the importance of having a strong work ethic. “When I graduate from high school and go on to college, I can be prepared for anything that comes my way,” he adds.
As you look for new ways to embody the FFA motto of “Living to Serve,” learn how to start a service project in your community and make a difference in the lives around you.
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