Community
Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project Hits $8 Million Donation Milestone
Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project surpasses $8M in donations since 2013, including a record $1.5M raised in 2025 for agriculture’s future.
Young wheat plant field on golden sunset landscape background. Green grain crop in agriculture farm. Rye harvest cereal backdrop
Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project Hits $8 Million Donation Milestone
Culver’s has always worn its Midwest roots proudly—right down to the farm-fresh ingredients behind its ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard. This week, the restaurant brand shared a milestone that reinforces that connection in a big way: Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project has officially surpassed $8 million in total donations since launching in 2013.
Even more impressive, 2025 marked a record year, with more than $1.5 million raised to support the future of agriculture through education, advocacy, and community-based partnerships.
A 12-year commitment to the people behind the food
When Culver’s started the Thank You Farmers Project, the mission was simple: support farmers and strengthen agricultural education so the next generation can continue feeding communities for decades to come. Twelve years later, that mission has grown into a nationwide effort powered by local restaurants, community partners, and everyday guests.
As Alison Demmer, Culver’s senior public relations manager, put it: behind every meal served is a network of hardworking farmers. The Thank You Farmers Project is Culver’s way of turning gratitude into action—by investing in the people and programs that keep agriculture strong.
How guests and communities helped raise $1.5 million in 2025
The Thank You Farmers Project is fueled by participation—donations at the register, local fundraising, and limited-time initiatives that make it easy for guests to contribute while enjoying the Culver’s experience.
Here are some of the standout efforts from 2025:
- Green and Gold: Culver’s donated $1 for each rental and digital purchase of the movie Green and Gold, totaling $100,000 donated to three agricultural organizations.
- To Farmers with Love Contest: Guests nominated farmers and ranchers for recognition, with five winnersreceiving a $500 cash prize, a VIP Tim McGraw concert experience at the Field of Dreams, plus Culver’s gift cards and swag.
- Scoops of Thanks Day (11th annual): Guests donated more than $170,000, receiving a single scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard in exchange for a $1 donation supporting local FFA chapters and other agricultural education organizations.
- Concretes for a Cause: Culver’s raised more than $570,000 by donating $1 from each Concrete Mixer soldsystemwide over a five-day period—supporting local hunger relief initiatives.
- Culver’s FFA Ambassadors: Guests nominated standout FFA members to represent Culver’s as ambassadors. Ten ambassadors earned up to $2,500 for their local chapters to fund learning experiences through agriculture advocacy events in partnership with Culver’s.
Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project has officially passed $8 million in total donations since the program began in 2013.
Why this milestone matters beyond the number
An $8 million milestone is worth celebrating—but the bigger story is what it represents: a long-term investment in agricultural education and sustainability, backed by a brand with more than 1,000 family-owned and operated restaurants across 26 states.
Programs like this help ensure:
- Students have access to hands-on agricultural learning opportunities
- Local FFA chapters and education organizations can expand their impact
- Communities stay connected to the real people behind the food supply
- Future farmers and ranchers feel seen, supported, and valued
In a time when the future of farming faces real challenges—from labor shortages to climate pressures—consistent support for agricultural education and advocacy can make a meaningful difference.
How to get involved
Culver’s is encouraging guests and community members to learn more, donate, or participate in upcoming initiatives tied to the Thank You Farmers Project.
To explore the program and find ways to support it, visit: https://www.culvers.com/about-culvers/thank-you-farmers-project
FAQ: Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project
A: It’s Culver’s long-running initiative (launched in 2013) that raises funds to support agricultural education and the future of farming.
A: Culver’s reports the program has surpassed $8 million in total donations since it began.
A: Culver’s says more than $1.5 million was raised in 2025, a record year for the program.
A: They’re guest-participation fundraisers where Culver’s ties donations to popular menu items—custard scoops and Concrete Mixers—to support agriculture and community initiatives.
A: Visit Culver’s official page: https://www.culvers.com/about-culvers/thank-you-farmers-project
About Culver’s
For more than 40 years, Culver’s has served cooked-to-order meals made with farm-fresh ingredients and delivered with a signature commitment to friendly service. The brand’s menu is best known for the ButterBurger (made with fresh, never-frozen beef) and Fresh Frozen Custard, including its popular Flavor of the Day program.
With more than 1,000 restaurants in 26 states, Culver’s continues to grow while staying rooted in small-town Midwestern values—and the Thank You Farmers Project is one of the clearest examples of that commitment in action.
High Demand Marks “Veggies for Veterans” Event Amid SNAP Delays
Link: https://stmdailynews.com/high-demand-marks-veggies-for-veterans-event-amid-snap-delays/
Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Fifty volunteers joined Diana Gregory Outreach Services and community partners on November 5, with support from AARP, State Farm, and BHHS Legacy Foundation.
PHOENIX — Fresh produce and community support came together Thursday morning, November 5, 2026, as Veggies for Veterans distributed 700 grocery bags during an event hosted by the Phoenix VA Health Care System.
The Diana Gregory Outreach Services (DGOS) program brought together 50 volunteers to help provide veterans with nutritious food. Each bag contained a variety of 13 fruits and vegetables, according to the event results supplied by organizers.
The effort also received a contribution from Peddler’s Son, which donated a five-pound bag of Idaho potatoes and a bag of grapes for each veteran.
AARP, State Farm, and BHHS Legacy Foundation Lead Financial Support
AARP, State Farm, and BHHS Legacy Foundation were the event’s three largest financial sponsors, helping make the distribution possible.
Volunteers represented all three organizations, along with the Archer Ragsdale Arizona Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Arizona Community Foundation and Santander also contributed volunteer support.
AARP Arizona State Director Dana Marie Kennedy attended the event. AARP’s participation included volunteers and an outreach table featuring candy and AARP-branded giveaway items for attendees and veterans.
Together, the financial contributions, donated food, and volunteer service supported an event centered on veterans and their access to fresh produce.
A Special Guest With a Remarkable Service History
Among those attending was 106-year-old Major Fannie Griffin McClendon, whose military career connects the gathering to an extraordinary chapter in American history.
McClendon served during World War II with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, widely known as the “Six Triple Eight.” The historic unit of Black women soldiers helped process a massive backlog of military mail in Europe.
Her service continued beyond World War II. The Library of Congress documents her later career in the Air Force, including service as a squadron commander.
Her attendance offered an opportunity to recognize a veteran whose career helped break barriers for Black women in the military.
More Than a Bag of Groceries
Veggies for Veterans’ purpose extends beyond the food distributed at an individual event. The program focuses on helping veterans access fresh produce while creating opportunities for connection and community support.
Grocery costs, transportation, and mobility can make obtaining nutritious food difficult. Bringing produce directly to veterans through VA and community settings is one way the program works to address those barriers.
The November 5 distribution also reflected the collective work behind that support: an organization coordinating the effort, a VA host, financial sponsors, a food donor, and volunteers contributing their time.
With 700 bags distributed and 50 volunteers participating, the event demonstrated how community partnerships can translate into practical support for veterans.
Readers interested in learning more about the program, volunteering, or exploring ways to support its work can visit Diana Gregory Outreach Services.
Reporting note: Event results, sponsor recognition, donations, volunteer participation, and attendee information were supplied for this recap. Historical background on Major McClendon is supported by the Library of Congress.
Sources and Further Information
- Diana Gregory Outreach Services — Veggies for Veterans
- Phoenix VA — November 5 Veggies for Veterans event listing
- Library of Congress — Fannie Griffin McClendon
5 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Community
(Feature Impact) Communities are strengthened every day by local organizations working to address challenges close to home, whether that’s helping families access food, supporting students, expanding opportunity or providing essential resources to those who need them most. Often operating with limited resources, these organizations are finding practical solutions that make a meaningful difference in neighborhoods and communities across the country.
Many of these efforts happen quietly, powered by people who volunteer their time, share their expertise, donate resources or simply help spread awareness of causes they care about.
For individuals looking to make a difference where they live, community involvement doesn’t have to start with a large commitment. Consider these five options to get involved.
Give Your Time
Giving your time is one of the most direct ways to support organizations serving your community. Whether it’s packing meals, mentoring young people or participating in neighborhood cleanups, volunteering allows people to contribute directly while gaining a deeper understanding of local needs.
Share Your Skills
Nonprofits often need specialized skills in addition to hands-on volunteer support. Communications support, technology expertise, event planning, photography, financial guidance and other professional skills can help organizations expand their reach and strengthen their operations. Contributing the skills you’ve developed can often be just as valuable as donating time or resources.
Tap Into Your Workplace
Many employers offer opportunities to support causes that matter to their employees, such as volunteer programs, community grants or other charitable opportunities.
In communities across the country, local nonprofits can receive support through programs like the PepsiCo Foundation’s Community Impact Awards, where employees can nominate nonprofit organizations in their local communities for grant funding. Since 2022, the program has invested more than $3.7 million into organizations working on issues ranging from food access to education and community development.
“Across North America, there are organizations showing up every day for their communities, often without recognition and with limited resources,” said Monica Bauer, SVP of social impact, PepsiCo and president of the PepsiCo Foundation. “The Community Impact Awards help shine a light on organizations that are creating opportunities, solving local challenges and making a real difference in people’s lives. What makes this program special is that the recognition comes from PepsiCo associates who know these organizations firsthand and have seen their impact up close.”
This year, 100 organizations across the U.S. and Canada received $500,000 total in grants and teamed up with their respective nominating employees for volunteer activities supporting their missions, giving employees another opportunity to engage directly.
Give What You Can
Financial contributions are a valuable way to give back, but they aren’t the only option. Many organizations need non-monetary donations such as school supplies, canned goods, clothing, toys and technology. Before collecting items, check with organizations to learn what is most needed and how contributions can make the greatest impact.
Use Your Voice
One person can make a difference. When that person gets a friend or family member involved, more people can discover and support organizations doing important work. Sharing a nonprofit’s mission on social media, inviting others to volunteer or connecting people with causes you care about can help organizations reach new supporters and expand their impact.
Making a difference doesn’t require doing everything at once. Whether you contribute your time, skills, resources or advocacy, small actions can help make a big impact over time.
Across the U.S., nonprofit organizations are helping improve lives, create opportunities and respond to community needs every day. Their work is a reminder that meaningful change often starts locally with people willing to get involved.
Learn more about how individuals and organizations can help address some of the most pressing needs in their communities by visiting PepsiCo.com/about/social-impact.
SOURCE:
PepsiCo
Food and Beverage
A Lesson in Kindness, Inclusion and How Kids Eat Differently
Kids Eat Differently: The school year brings new classmates, routines and opportunities for children to learn about people whose experiences may be different from their own. They could include friends who use a wheelchair, carry an inhaler or even receive nutrition through a feeding tube.
A Lesson in Kindness, Inclusion and How Kids Eat Differently
(Feature Impact) The school year brings new classmates, routines and opportunities for children to learn about people whose experiences may be different from their own. They could include friends who use a wheelchair, carry an inhaler or even receive nutrition through a feeding tube.
Watch this video to learn more
For families who rely on tube feeding, it is an essential part of daily life but is often understood only by those who experience it. That limited awareness can leave children who are tube fed and their families feeling isolated or unseen, according to Gerard Minor, a pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology specialist.
Parents can use everyday questions as opportunities to help children understand there are many ways people receive nourishment. Teachers, classmates, caregivers and communities can also help make tube feeding part of the everyday conversation around childhood rather than something that separates children from it.
“Helping children understand those differences early can encourage curiosity, kindness and inclusion,” Minor said.
To help bring greater awareness, understanding and representation to children and families who experience tube feeding every day, Compleat, a leader in tube feeding formulas, launched “What Is Better Than How,” featuring “Sesame Street’s” Elmo and his signature warmth and curiosity. The original song celebrates the many ways people eat. Some people eat with a fork, some use a spoon and some use a tube, reinforcing a simple message: What matters is not how you eat. What matters is that you are nourished, loved and included.
To hear the song, create a personalized version and learn more about the campaign, visit Compleat.com/WhatIsBetterThanHow.
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