Bob Evans Restaurants aims to continue advocating for agricultural education with donations totaling $25,000 this fall. Bob Evans donated $5,000 to each of the following Ohio organizations: the Ohio FFA Foundation, Ohio 4-H, and Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. Second, a $10,000 donation was made to the National FFA Foundation, benefitting FFA chapters in Ohio and Indiana.
The restaurant chain is based in New Albany, Ohio.
The three $5,000 donations included funds raised during Bob Evans’ 54th annual Farm Festival. This event took place in Rio Grande, Ohio, on the original Bob Evans Farm and birthplace of the brand, from October 10 to 12. The organizations receiving donation funds include:
- Ohio FFA Foundation: the organization which supports Ohio’s 25,000 FFA members. FFA is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of one million middle and high school students across the U.S. by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
- Ohio 4-H: the Ohio chapter of the nation’s largest youth development organization which grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills.
- Farm Bureau Foundation: a 501(c) (3) charitable, nonprofit organization that has helped community groups, civic leaders and consumers in rural, suburban and urban neighborhoods use agriculture to address a variety of quality-of-life issues. It funds programming in areas such as education and community development.
In addition to its efforts in Ohio, Bob Evans is making an impact with the help of the National FFA Foundation by supporting 19 different Midwest FFA chapters through a donation totaling $10,000. This donation will be split up and distributed to each individual chapter to support agricultural experiences and education. The following chapters will receive chapter grants from Bob Evans distributed by the National FFA Foundation:
- Ashland FFA
- Centerville Environmental Management FFA
- Delaware Area Career Center FFA
- Fremont FFA
- Gallipolis FFA
- Greenville FFA
- Jackson FFA
- Lancaster FFA
- Marion Harding FFA
- Miamisburg-MVCTC FFA
- River Valley FFA
- Sidney FFA
- Six District Educational Compact FFA
- Talawanda-Butler Tech FFA
- Terre Haute South FFA
- Tiffin-Sentinel FFA
- Wapakoneta FFA
- Warsaw FFA
- Xenia- GCCC FFA
The Bob Evans FFA chapter grants provide FFA members with the opportunity to experience new activities and grow their expertise in agriculture. For example, funds could be used for agricultural education needs, community service events and career development opportunities.
“We’re proud to partner with the FFA Organization to help bring new opportunities for agricultural growth to aspiring farmers in our local communities,” said Bob Holtcamp, President and CMO for Bob Evans Restaurants. “Our ability to serve farm-fresh meals our guests love depends on the strength of the farming community and its growth. These grants not only invest in students’ agricultural education but also help cultivate the next generation of farmers who will carry that legacy forward.”
