Hayley Hines stocks the freezer for a food pantry.
What do you think of when you hear “vanishing resources?” You may have thought of water, coal, oil or natural gas, but for 2024-25 Kansas FFA State Vice President Hayley Hines, the most prominent one is food.
You may think food isn’t a vanishing resource. So did Hines, until she watched a clip from CBS News in 2020 addressing food insecurity and children going hungry. After watching the report, Hines took a closer look at those around her and realized there are people around her going hungry.
At the time, Hines was a freshman at Paola High School in Paola, Kan., and just beginning her FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) journey. Seeing those hungry around her, Hines couldn’t stand by; she felt the need to act. She worked with her FFA advisor and school counselors to brainstorm ways to address this issue.
Ultimately, Hines decided to create a community food pantry named Panthers Helping Panthers. This pantry was introduced just after the COVID-19 lockdowns. More people were working from home and staying home at the time, which Hines partially credits to its popularity, along with modern-day inflation.
Hines shops for items to stock the food pantry.
You may find yourself questioning how this relates to agriculture. Hines has faced this question many times, but says, “In the end, anything and everything connects to agriculture.”
For this SAE, Hines strategically planned a collaboration between FFA (specifically the animal science class at her school), the community and her school, ensuring that all students and families have food to put on the table.
“I worked closely with my school counselors to ensure that students had easy, anonymous access to food,” Hines says. “I planned this with our animal science class as well, so they raised animals and gained experience with vaccinating, working and caring for livestock. This not only gave our students experience, but it created a local food supply for me.”
Hines also created an anonymous online form that can be filled out to place an order for food. This is then filled and placed in the pantry anonymously.
“I think people are afraid to admit they need help,” Hines says. “By creating this form and doing it anonymously, people were using — and will continue to use — the food pantry and not be afraid to do so.”
Hines takes inventory of frozen foods.
Hines credits her school counselors and work with local civic organizations for the success of this SAE. She’s spoken with the Philanthropic Educational Organization Sisterhood, the Rotary Club and other area business partners. Hines also mentioned the scholarship opportunities offered by working with these civic groups, saying, “I received three scholarships just by partnering with civic groups for my SAE.”
Hines fills orders for her food pantry.
Hines credits her SAE to her college and career choices. “This project has directly impacted my choices such as my college double major in health and nutrition and nursing, specifically to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist,” she says. She encourages others to “find your passion and find a way to relate it to agriculture.”
Hines has earned National FFA SAE Grants for this project, along with proficiency awards at the chapter, district and state levels. She is also a national proficiency award finalist this fall. She encourages all members to find their interests and get involved within the organization.
