15,000 CANS IN TIME FOR THANKSGIVING
FFA MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY
FFA members at Clemson University and some high school FFA chapters throughout the state recently contributed more than 15,000 cans of food for less fortunate people who need a helping hand at this special time of the year.
The community service project was a cooperative effort of the Clemson Collegiate FFA and the SC FFA Association in concert with the National FFA Alumni Organization and Toyota, USA.
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Clemson Collegiate FFA was the top collegiate contributor. |
The Clemson Collegiate FFA organization was joined by the Ag Mechanization Club, the Collegiate Horseman Club, the Dairy Science Club, the Block and Bridle Club, the Biological Engineering Club, the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, and the Applied Economics Club to successfully collect and distribute 12,394 cans to food banks in the Anderson and Six Mile areas.
Thirteen high school FFA chapters throughout the state contributed and distributed an additional 3328 cans to the Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia.
Through financial support from Toyota, USA and the National FFA Alumni Organization, the Clemson Collegiate FFA Organization was awarded $700 for taking top honors by collecting 9282 cans. The Clemson Ag Mechanization Club received $500 for their efforts. The Clemson Collegiate Horseman Association earned $300 and the Dairy Science Club received $150 for their participation in the project.
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Manning FFA was the top contributor in the high school category. |
The Manning High School FFA Chapter, the top group in the high school category with more than 1300 cans contributed, was awarded a $600 gift certificate from the National FFA Supply Department and a scholarship for one of their members to attend a National FFA Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, next summer. Michael Haynes, Agricultural Education Instructor at Manning High, is the FFA Advisor.
The Pelion FFA Chapter was presented a gift certificate for $500 from the National FFA as the second high chapter in the project. Frank R. Stover, Agricultural Education Instructor at Pelion, is the FFA Advisor.
Latta High School FFA Chapter earned a $400 gift certificate as the third high contributor. Aaron Miles, Agricultural Education Instructor at Latta High, is the FFA Advisor.
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Frank Saldana, executive director of the National FFA Alumni, addressed the attendees of the Presentation of Food ceremony at the CAFLS Ag Tailgate in Clemson, S.C. |
The Aiken and Saluda High School FFA Chapters were each awarded a scholarship for one of their members to attend the National Conference in Washington as participants in the community service project. Meghan McPhail is the FFA Advisor at Aiken and Amanda Nichols is the Advisor at Saluda.
The Food for the Hungry Campaign was planned and coordinated by Dr. Tom Dobbins, a professor of Agricultural Education at Clemson University who serves as the collegiate FFA advisor; Keith Cox, an Agricultural Education administrator with Clemson who serves as executive secretary of the SC FFA Association; and John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Association.
Executive staff of the National FFA Alumni Organization and the National FFA Organization headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, along with representatives of Toyota USA, attended the Presentation of Food Ceremonies held in conjunction with FFA Day during the State Fair and the Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences AG-TAIL GATE party prior to the Clemson-Wake Forest football game.
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The high school FFA chapters contributed 3328 cans of food to Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia. |
State FFA officers and staff load donated cans of food at the S.C. State Fair. |
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State FFA President Spencer McLeod and State Vice President Heather Coleman assist with the food drive. |
The Red, White, & Blue Million Can Food Drive was a cooperative community service project of the Clemson Collegiate FFA, the SC FFA Association, and the National FFA Alumni Organization. Toyota USA was the corporate sponsor. |