The Sterling FFA Chapter does many fundraisers throughout the year to help raise money for their various trips and activities, including the pork chop drive-thru.

This year, as a chapter Sterling FFA made over $2,000 and got back $1,600 of the earnings. Each meal cost 10 dollars and included a pork chop sandwich, water, cookie, and a bag of chips.

Senior and FFA President Brady Shank said, “It was good. We sold over 200 meals and the customers were happy. We had it at the butcher shop and it was an ideal location to have it at.”

This year for the pork chop drive-thru, Sterling FFA had two major sponsors and three major donors, who donated supplies. The Sterling FFA chapter would like to thank their sponsors; Rock River Lumber and Grain Co., along with ReMax Sauk Valley (Myles Kukowski). They would also like to thank their donors; The Butcher shop (Sterling), Twin in Town, and Kroger.

“We had huge support from our alumni as they helped us grill”, Brady says.

Sometimes it is hard to find help for bigger events however, Sterling FFA is fortunate in having people that are willing to help so the students can continue learning about the agricultural advances and how to better the farming life. The Sterling FFA Adviser Miranda Moen says, “We prepared by contacting sponsors, communicating with The Butcher Shop to obtain pork chops, and obtaining all the other supplies needed to run the event.”

Sterling chapter FFA participants in this years drive-thru fundraiser include FFA advisor Miranda Moen, alumni Mike Geiger, Shank, Vice President and sophomore Landon Kukowski, Reporter and sophomore Grace Wetzell, and members junior Kadielynn Nelson, sophomore Kim Vasquez, sophomore Gracie Witmer, and freshman Juliet Funderberg.

While the pork chop drive-thru was ultimately a success, Shank said, “We could have advertised for it on social media a couple of weeks before we did and put flyers out around town to spread the word.”

Sophomore Riley May added, “I believe the pork chop drive-thru was a good type of fundraiser because it was a chance to connect with the community and a chance for everyone to meet our local chapter members.”

The lunch is a great deal of work for those involved but they also manage to have some fun with it.

Kukowski said, “My favorite part of the fundraiser was standing on the median and waving signs for our pork chop dinner.”

This was a very popular fundraiser and it has already been decided that it will be done again next year.