FRANKFORT, Ky. — FFA members have long been taught the value of community service throughout the year. Students in Western Hills High School’s (WHHS) Leadership Dynamics class recently took part in a project that taught them how to use a little money to make a large impact on their community.

FFA advisor and ag teacher J.R. Zinner gave students $10 each as part of his “Lead On Challenge” project. He told the students to devise a plan that would make a difference in the community.

“I wanted our students to use their problem-solving skills as well as the community service aspect of FFA they have learned about, to come up with plans to help someone or some organization in our town,” he said. “I knew there would be some amazing stories, but some of the projects actually surprised me.”

Emery Moore, a sophomore student at WHHS, said at first she didn’t have any idea of how to make that difference with just $10. But if she collaborated with other students in the classroom and combined their money, there would be more to devote to the project.

“I talked with my classmates and we thought it would be a good idea to put our money together, buy food, prepare it and serve it at the soup kitchen,” she explained.

Together the group of four bought vegetables, dinner rolls and the ingredients to make six cakes. Franklin County Farm Bureau and the Knights of Columbus Council #1483 donated pork for the meal, which came from the local Youth Livestock Auction in September.

After preparing most of the meal at her home, Moore and other students took the food to the local soup kitchen and served lunch on a recent Saturday.

“We also socialized with some of the people there and tried to get to know them,” she said.

“Everyone was really kind, and it reminded me that these people are just struggling to get by and they are good people.”

Moore said all those participating in the meal seemed to really like the food. “I remember one lady thanked us so much, said the food was really awesome and that she was so thankful for everything we were doing,” she recalled.

Zinner said often students get life lessons when performing community service projects like this. “Hopefully, this is something these students will take with them and make giving back to their communities a lifelong experience,” he noted.

Moore said three of the six cakes were left over so they were taken to a nearby women’s shelter.

“This was one of the first community service projects I’ve been involved in with FFA and I really enjoyed it,” she said. “It’s a great way to get to know the people in your community and a chance to get to serve them. This gave me a better understanding of people and the situations some are going through.”

Moore felt the project made a big impact in the community and it was a good opportunity to serve a great deal of people all at once. “It was pretty cool, and we plan to do it again in January,” she added.