California FFA Chapter Performs Holiday Community Service

During this holiday season, the California FFA Chapter has given back to their community.

The California FFA Chapter sponsored a school-wide food drive from Nov. 1- 19 to benefit the local food bank.

The chapter collected over 1,100 pounds of food, which was around 1,250 items.

The challenge was to see which school organization could bring in the most food so that they could fill up a stock trailer. This year's winner was FBLA.

The FFA, Tri-M, Spanish Club, FBLA, FCCLA, Art Club and Drama Club all participated.

"This is one important way we can give back to the community," said Bailey Glenn, FFA Citizenship Chairman. According to FFA adviser Adam Bieri, "This year's food drive was a huge success, and hopefully we can do better next year."

Shortly after the food drive, the FFA Chapter chose a family from the elementary Angel Tree to sponsor for Christmas.

FFA members donated loose change each day when Bieri and Lee Longan, also an FFA sponsor, passed around a jar during classes. The Chapter agreed to match the amount of money donated by the students.

All together, the students raised over $300. Longan said, "this was the first time our FFA program committed to something like this, and it went very well."

Friday, Dec. 11, Glenn organized some chapter members for a trip to Jefferson City to shop for the family.

"We bought gifts for three children in the elementary school. We got them clothes and toys to try and make Christmas a little better for them," said William Inglish, FFA President.

The chapter's final holiday-inspired community service activity will be a Christmas caroling trip to local nursing homes on Wednesday, Dec. 22.