Rose Acre Farms is supporting Crothersville FFA’s Toy and Food Drive, an annual event providing local families with toys and healthy, ready-made meals this Christmas season.

Crothersville FFA, led by agriculture teacher and advisee Linda Myers, has been filling and providing Christmas boxes to the community for 35 years. The chapter hosts an annual craft show to help fundraise for the drive but also relies on donations from community business and organizations.

“We absolutely could not do this project without the support of so many, including Rose Acre Farms,” Myers said. “The boxes contain primarily nonperishable food items so students who may be home alone over Christmas break can make themselves a healthy meal, things like mac and cheese, cereal, etc. We also include fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs.”

Rose Acre Farms donated many empty case boxes and several cases of eggs this year for the project.

“We are glad to help Crothersville FFA with their annual project. FFA offers our youth a great opportunity to become more engaged with the agriculture industry,” said Tony Wesner, chief operating officer of Rose Acre Farms. “We love supporting FFA chapters because FFA students are our future leaders.”

Myers said Walmart Corp. and Salem Walmart also assisted with a large monetary donation and purchasing food. She said without them, the FFA chapter could not deliver the amount of donations it receives.

Premier Companies also donated a large sum of money that was used to purchase food from Aldi in Seymour.

“With their donations and the numerous other churches, organizations and individuals in the community, we are able to supply a rather large amount of nonperishable food items to 108 families and 60 fruit baskets to elderly and shut-ins in the community,” Myers said.

In 2020, Crothersville FFA delivered 20.3478 tons of food during the annual drive. The chapter has been recognized by Indiana FFA Association, winning first place in the state in the Living to Serve Community Service Initiative.

“Special recognition should also be given to the members of the Crothersville-Vernon Township Volunteer Fire Department, as they provide the transportation the day of delivery,” Myers said.

Crothersville FFA will fill boxes on Dec. 21 and 22 and deliver them on Dec. 23. The boxes will go to local families with students in the Crothersville school system as well as others in the local community, including elderly folks and those who have lost a loved one this year.

To help commemorate the 35th annual Toy and Food Drive, Myers would like to ask anyone who has been a member or associated with Crothersville FFA to come the day of delivery to help celebrate 35 years.

“To add to the excitement of the day, Crothersville FFA does have a special secret that they will be revealing the morning of the delivery,” Myers said.

Commemorative items celebrating 35 years will be given to all who assist with delivery on Dec. 23.