As the last meal bag is sealed, the next one will soon be prepared. Many stomachs will be satisfied as the National FFA Convention & Expo comes to an end. FFA members from across the country and local volunteers packaged more than one million meals for the Indianapolis community and families around the world in the FFA Rally to Fight Hunger.
Although the rally has ended, FFA members will travel home and see hunger in their communities. “Hunger is being seen in our local communities like never before…hunger is something we don’t want to think about,” says Dwight Armstrong, the National FFA Organization’s chief executive officer. “We (FFA) believe that we can make a difference, and we envision a world where hunger will be a thing of the past.”
Hunger can be made history with strong effort and collaboration. Many sponsors have come forward with financial assistance to make ending hunger happen. Sara Lilygren, Tyson Foods senior vice president of external relations, talks about their partnership with FFA in the fight to end hunger. “We hope the enthusiasm and the creativity they (FFA members) get at convention can be taken back to their communities and they can find even new ways to take care of hunger problems,” says Lilygren. “Hunger is so wide spread in America, but we don’t see it…so a lot of people think it’s not a problem. I think these kids are learning you may not see it, but it’s there and you can help.”
Helping package meals is just one way to fight hunger. Having the conversation on how to fight hunger is another. “Go back to your communities and learn what’s going on. Find out who is addressing hunger. Reach out to your community food bank, anyone that might be talking about it,” said Cindy Hubert, Gleaners Food Bank President and CEO.
To learn more about how you can feed people in your community, visit kidsagainsthunger.org and feedingamerica.org.To learn more about the Rally to Fight Hunger, visit FFA.org.
Lauren Schwab is a former FFA member from Somerville, Ohio.She is a 2011 graduate of Miami University with a degree in journalism and women’s studies. She is currently a graduate student in family studies and works full time on her family farm. Contact her at schwablm@muohio.edu.
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