:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/2QGVQYWERKIZPCMCRRKW6Z3VWY.jpg)
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country and make thousands of people sick and affect the daily lives of everyone, I recently had the opportunity to interview a young FFA member whose chapter is working to help those in need during this difficult time.
Jaden Maze, who is president of the Western Boone FFA Chapter, has been working tirelessly alongside members of her FFA chapter to raise donations to buy meat and milk for those less fortunate in the community, while helping support local farmers at the same time.
Over the years I have interviewed dozens of people who are helping to raise awareness and monetary donations for worthy causes, but Jaden’s pure passion and drive to not only help those in need, but also find a way to help the agriculture industry at the same time was a breath of fresh air.
The Milk and Meat for Boone County campaign started when FFA members, including Jaden, saw dairy farmers having to dump gallons of milk because there wasn’t a market for it due to restrictions put into place to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
During our phone conversation, Jaden excitedly told me how the campaign started with the FFA chapter using $1,000 of its own funds as seed money to get the fundraiser started.
In a little over a month’s time, the chapter has been able to raise $15,000 of its $20,000 goal, which will help buy hundreds of gallons of milk each month, as well as pork and beef to donate to local food pantries and other organizations in the community.
Jaden went on to tell me about how just this past week she was able to see firsthand how the efforts of her FFA chapter is helping those in need by dropping off hundreds of pounds of meat at a local organization.
Although, they had to leave the meat on a table outside of the building they were donating the meat to because of restrictions to help slow the spread of COVID-19, Jaden said it was truly eye-opening and she is excited to purchase more meat and milk products for others in need.
I am truly impressed with the efforts of Jaden and her chapter members and know they will continue to make a difference for those facing hardships in Boone County while supporting local farmers at the same time.