“Living to Serve” is more than a motto when FFA members from across Nebraska gather for their annual state convention. Working side by side, FFA members, educators and other volunteers pack meals for food-insecure communities.
“It shows service is part of what we do as FFA members. The energy is just incredible. FFA members love it, and that’s what makes it all worth it," said Stacey Agnew, a representative for the Nebraska FFA Foundation.
The foundation sponsors the event. A Working Here Fund grant from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) allows the foundation to buy the food for packaging.
“The funding has helped us increase the number of meals that are being provided, and it has provided more FFA members a chance to participate,” Agnew said.
Between 850 and 1,000 FFA members pack meals in shifts at the Nebraska State Convention. The goal for 2025 is to package 80,000 meals, which will then be distributed through the Food Bank for the Heartland, the Food Bank of Lincoln and other programs working to combat food insecurity.
The hands-on approach to service learning helps deepen the participants’ understanding of food insecurity and its impact on local families, Agnew said. Just as importantly, it demonstrates how to take steps to address the problem.
“I hope it inspires them to think about food insecurity in their own rural communities and how they can address it,” Agnew said.
“For some, this may be their first time in Lincoln, their first major service project or even their first experience giving back in such a meaningful way.”
This year, Nebraska FFA is partnering with Meals from the Heartland, a nonprofit organization based in Des Moines, Iowa. Meals from the Heartland, which has worked with other FFA programs in Illinois and Iowa, will facilitate the packaging and support delivery of meals to local and regional communities.
The event includes seven rotations — three on Thursday afternoon and four on Friday morning, with up to 120 students working each shift. Volunteers, including employees from FCSAmerica, work alongside students, helping with packaging, loading boxes and keeping the workflow efficient.
Nebraska FFA and FCSAmerica are focused on making the 2025 event a success. They want to continue feeding communities, engaging young leaders and instilling a lifelong commitment to service.
Community Involvement Contacts
For more information about our community involvement program, contact your local Farm Credit Services of America office or email community@fcsamerica.com.
