By: Carley Snider
Agriscience Education
Junior
During my time as an FFA member and now as a Buckeye, one of the biggest values that has been instilled in me is service. At the 88th National FFA Convention, I volunteered in the National FFA Living to Serve Team’s “FFA Hunger Games” booth in the trade show to encourage current high school FFA members to embrace an opportunity to serve.
This booth informed students and teachers about the initiatives the National FFA has for FFA chapters that take efforts to fight hunger in local communities. These programs are the “FFA: Food For All Grant Program” and the “FFA Hunger Heroes Challenge.” These programs give chapters the opportunity to earn up to $2,500 to take action.
During the three days of the national convention trade show, I manned stations within the booth that rewarded students for partaking in an activity where they learned more about these initiatives. Designed like a “Hunger Games” arena, we had activities such as a Nerf archery range, a scavenger hunt, and an obstacle course.
I loved getting to know the Living to Serve team and the other volunteers throughout the week and discussing why we are each passionate about students taking action to end hunger in their local communities. I am excited to hear about what the next set of FFA chapters across the country that participate in these programs will do to impact their communities!