BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Aug. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, is funding grants with the National FFA Foundation by selling shirts celebrating the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo.
Beginning Monday, Aug. 27, customers can purchase a limited edition FFA convention-themed shirt for $12.99 (plus tax) at Tractor Supply stores nationwide. Net proceeds from the shirt sale benefit the National FFA platforms Living to Serve and Alumni Legacy Grants.
This year the annual fundraiser shirt features the 2018 FFA Convention theme “Just One.” According to the National FFA Officer Team, the theme was chosen to recognize the importance of each FFA member and each step they take toward growth—a reflection of the work completed by its members and the organization’s vision of developing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.
"Both the Tractor Supply team and our customers are dedicated to investing in the future of agriculture,” said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at Tractor Supply. "This annual fundraiser, and the FFA initiatives it supports, provides an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to the future leaders of the industry and the communities we proudly serve.”
More than 380 Living to Serve projects in 45 states were funded since last year alone. The initiative provides opportunities for FFA chapters to seek funding to support four types of service projects: community safety; hunger, health and nutrition; environmental responsibility; and community engagements.
Alumni Legacy Grants are fulfilled with the purpose of growing the number of local FFA alumni chapters, improving the quality of existing chapters and providing more opportunities for partnership between FFA chapters and chapters for alumni and supporters. Since 2017, more than 60 Alumni Legacy Grants have been awarded to alumni and supporters chapters located in states across the nation.
In 2017, Tractor Supply’s annual shirt fundraiser generated more than $215,000 for the National FFA Foundation, which inspires young adults to become active leaders in their communities through participation in agricultural programs and initiatives.
“Living to Serve and Alumni Legacy Grants are two vital platforms to our organization and our mission,” said Mark Poeschl, CEO of the National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation. “Through this partnership with Tractor Supply Company, we are able to empower more FFA members with opportunities to make a difference in their communities.”
In addition to in-store availability, the shirts will be available at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo, held Oct. 24–27 in Indianapolis, to benefit “Give the Gift of Blue,” a National FFA program that awards personalized FFA corduroy jackets—articles of faith, honor and pride—to hard-working FFA youth members with financial hardships.
For more information on the shirt fundraiser, call your local store or visit www.tractorsupply.com/FFA.
About Tractor Supply Company
Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO) is in its 80th year of operation and, since being founded in 1938, has grown to become the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States. With more than 28,000 team members, over 1,725 stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website, Tractor Supply is passionate about serving its unique niche, as a one-stop shop for recreational farmers, ranchers and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle. Tractor Supply offers an extensive mix of products necessary to care for home, land, pets and animals with a focus on product localization, exclusive brands and legendary customer service that addresses the needs of the Out Here lifestyle. The Company leverages its physical store assets with digital capabilities to offer customers the convenience of purchasing products they need anytime, anywhere and any way they choose at the everyday prices they deserve. At June 30, 2018, the Company operated 1,725 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.tractorsupply.com.
Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At June 30, 2018, the Company operated 174 Petsense stores in 27 states. For more information on Petsense, visit www.petsense.com.
About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 653,359 student members as part of 8,568 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is supported by 344,239 alumni members in 2,051 local FFA Alumni chapters throughout the U.S. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.
About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.
Contact:
Grace Stewart
(615) 385-1100 x2401
gstewart@gsandf.com
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