Submitted photo EHS FFA member Jaclynn Carroll demonstrates to other members how to put together the large boxes that will hold the backpacks.

ELKINS — Among the official sessions, workshops and Career Development Events, the Elkins High School FFA took part in a very special program at the State FFA Convention this summer. More than 3,000 back packs were filled for kids in need.

Often children who get meals through schools are left hungry during the summers. Several programs have been developed to meet this need, including this one through the Mountaineer FoodBank. This year they worked with the West Virginia FFA Association and the Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers on July 13 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center.

“I was happy to participate in the food drive,” said Logan Rowan, chapter vice president. “It’s nice to know that we get to help communities that help us.”

More than 10,000 pounds of food were packed that day. In addition, corn had been planted at the Center by the YF&R to donate. All of it went to the Mountaineer FoodBank to help kids and families all over West Virginia.

“I’m glad I got to help out and give back,” said Ashton Michaels, EHS FFA member.

Submitted photo Logan Rowan, Ashton Michaels and Jaclynn Carroll fill the bags that will go into the backpacks for the kids.

Danielle Grant, chair of the Farm Bureau YF&R, submitted a grant application to the National FFA which awarded her $6,000 for the backpack program. This organization includes members between the ages of 18 and 35.

“We can benefit FFA members by giving them opportunities to continue being in a network of young agriculturists with common interests,” said Grant.

They also collected a $7,500 donation from the WV State FFA Association. The State Officers, as well as chapters from across the state, worked hard to raise these funds.

“We are grateful; what you did was amazing,” Chad Morrison of the Mountaineer FoodBank said. “We serve all 55 counties so we work in your backyard.”

Although the pool was open, FFA members formed long lines to put food into plastic bags for the backpacks.

“In FFA we are taught to practice servant leadership,” Jaclynn Carroll, EHS FFA member said. “This is one of the most important parts of the organization to me, and nothing makes me more proud than to not only see but be able to participate in the meaningful community service our organization promotes.”

It was hot by the time Jason Hughes, state advisor of the WV FFA, came to ask for volunteers to go pick the sweet corn. Without hesitation a large group of members left to walk across the field and sweat in the hot sun to get the corn in.

“It was truly amazing,” said Hughes. “FFA members picked an entire fourth of an acre of sweet corn, around 3,400 pounds, in about 20 minutes. The sweet corn was distributed across West Virginia in just a few short days after it was harvested.”

“FFA gives kids a chance to work hard and develop empathy for others,” Wendy Thurston, EHS FFA advisor said. “And given an opportunity like this, we see the best of our next generation. They did not do this because they had to. They were in line and in the field laughing and smiling. They wanted to do it and enjoyed doing it.”

“We’ve all heard the saying, ‘many hands make light work,’ but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in action until I saw that the majority of the FFA members at state convention were right there in line the entire time, filling up backpack after backpack,” Carroll said in summing up the experience.