SHELBY — Folks seeking to dodge cooking dinner Thursday in Shelby now have a reason.
Shelby FFA Alumni & Supporters is partnering with McDonald’s to raise funds for the school district’s Future Farmers of America program.
The fundraiser is set to run Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Shelby location, 151 Mansfield Ave.
McDonald’s is offering 20-percent off app sales — including delivery through the app, curbside pickup and mobile orders. Five-percent off will be applied to in-store sales.
Randy Eisenhauer, Shelby High School’s FFA advisor, said proceeds raised will help fund a variety of opportunities the program provides its members.
“They’re (McDonald’s) giving us a certain percent of the sales to help go towards trips that we take, purchasing animals at the Richland County Fair and scholarships to help seniors further their education,” he said.
Thursday’s fundraiser deals are only valid at the Mansfield Avenue location. The McDonald’s App is available for download on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
Shelby FFA ranks among Ohio’s largest chapters
Shelby City Schools has FFA programs for both the middle school and high school.
Levi Myers oversees the middle school operation — while Eisenhauer heads the high school program with assistance from Myers.
Along with students from Pioneer Career and Technology Center, Shelby has 322 FFA members this years between both programs.
Eisenhauer said Shelby’s chapter is the largest in Richland County and ranks among the state’s biggest programs.
Fundraising serves a vital role in providing opportunities to the more than 300-member chapter, he added.
“It’s (fundraising) important because of the large number of students that we’re helping,” Eisenhauer said.
Community support has been ‘tremendous’
According to its website, Shelby FFA Alumni & Supporters is a chartered local affiliate of the Ohio FFA Alumni Association.
The organization’s objective is to “raise funds through fundraisers and donations to purchase livestock at the Richland County Junior Livestock Auction.”
Eisenhauer said the organization spent over $50,000 last year to help support students’ animals during the Richland County Fair.
“They helped sponsor the trip to Denver, Colorado this year,” he added. “Next year, we’ll be going to our national FFA convention. They’ll help there.”
Furthermore, Shelby FFA Alumni & Supporters is providing two $500 scholarships to assist two graduating seniors with the costs of continued education, Eisenhauer said.
The scholarships will be awarded at Shelby FFA’s upcoming banquet on May 13 at the Shelby High School gymnasium.