In the heart of rural America, where grocery stores are few and far between, one young woman is proving that the next generation of agriculture is not only passionate—but purpose-driven.
Kate Myers, a recent graduate of Lomega High School, is a force behind Beef for the Bank, a non-profit with an inspiring initiative dedicated to supplying local food banks—and families in need—with an essential source of protein: beef. What began as a senior project and FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) has grown into a full-scale mission to combat food insecurity in underserved rural communities.
Meet Kate:
The force behind beef for the bank
Kate Myers, a recent graduate of Lomega High School, is a force behind Beef for the Bank, a non-profit with an inspiring initiative dedicated to supplying local food banks—and families in need—with an essential source of protein: beef. What began as a senior project and FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) has grown into a full-scale mission to combat food insecurity in underserved rural communities.
“Just like in the city, rural food banks often don’t receive enough high-quality protein through donations,” Kate explains. Rooted in the values of hard work, stewardship, and service, Kate and her sisters saw not just a need, but an opportunity.
In 2020, she and her sisters began partnering with local producers and processors to turn donated animals into nutritious, ready-to-use ground beef. Their innovative approach—selling premium cuts like steaks to help cover processing costs—has made the project both sustainable and scalable.
“With the help of my family and our FFA advisor, we formulated a plan,” Kate explains. “We purchase cattle from local farmers, feed out the steers, and then sell the beef in halves or by the pound. We use the proceeds to fund the donation of ground beef to local feeding programs.”
18,000 servings of ground beef
So far, the program has donated over 4,500 pounds of beef—equivalent to more than 18,000 servings.
“This is about giving back to the community that gave so much to me,” Kate says with conviction. Her work is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t defined by age—it’s defined by action. Kate represents the future of agriculture: thoughtful, driven, and deeply committed to feeding not only the world, but her neighbors. “We have the resources and the know-how,” she says. “Sometimes it just takes one person to ask—how can I help?”
Thanks to Kate and her sisters, rural families have received the nutrition they need—and they’re just getting started. As Kate heads off to college, her younger sister is stepping in to carry the torch.
Watch Kate’s Story
Watch the video to hear more about Kate’s journey with Beef for the Bank. To learn more about this inspiring non-profit, visit beef4thebank.com.
