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Washington FFA repeats ‘Taco Tuesday’ event
$1,800 raised from freewill donations
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WASHINGTON — Washington’s FFA chapter ran back a fundraiser and community service event Tuesday night at Dallmeyer Hall, cooking up 100 lbs. of taco meat for hungry guests at the organization’s “Taco Tuesday” night.
The event was launched last year at around the same time, organized entirely by students in the program. FFA officers said it was easier to plan on their second time through. Students made a few changes from last year’s model, offering walk-in to-go orders and adding red rice, chips and salsa to the menu.
“We kind of had an idea of what to expect, what people liked and didn’t like last year,” said Washington FFA President Jade Sheetz. “Some of the things, how we’re operating, we changed a lot … this is completely ran by FFA members, so we’ve planned everything ourselves.”
The evening saw a steady stream of guests at the building on Washington County’s fairgrounds, keeping chapter volunteers busy as they tallied and served each attendee.
Washington FFA Sponsor Barry Clough said the chapter served 250 people and raised a little over $1,800 at the event; a sizable chunk of change, if slightly lower than the 300-guest goal set by students beforehand.
Clough said the money raised would help pay for students’ trips to a leadership conference next week, and for a handful of scholarships.
For organizers, Tuesday represented more than just a fundraiser. Members said they wanted to raise awareness about their group’s myriad non-ag activities after the national organization dropped its longtime name, the “Future Farmers of America.” Washington’s young volunteers said they also sought a chance to give back to community members who have supported them over the years.
“It never really was about making money,” Chapter Reporter Tess Berdo said. “It was just kind of an idea we had to get the chapter out to the community, and just kind of help people understand what FFA is … being able to do things like this for the entire community helps us to show everyone what FFA is all about.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
