Local scholarship funds to benefit from drive-through version of Farm to Fork

While COVID-19 has meant the cancellation of a number of community events in 2020, a group of volunteers is refusing to let it get in the way of raising money for local students on the way to a college education.

At the conclusion of the inaugural Farm to Fork dinner in 2019, each Dollars for Scholars chapter in Putnam County was awarded $2,500.

Hoping to build on that success in 2020, the Farm to Fork committee has been planning the second-annual event as a drive-through event.

Set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, the drive-through feast will be prepared by Myers’ Market.

Putnam County is home to Cloverdale Dollars for Scholars, Greencastle Alumni Association Dollars for Scholars Inc. and North Putnam Alumni Association Dollars for Scholars. South Putnam is completing the requirements to have a Dollars for Scholars Chapter.

Local Dollars for Scholars chapters are part of Scholarship America. Scholarship America works with colleges and universities to maximize every scholarship dollar raised. Some colleges will match the scholarship awarded by a Dollars for Scholars chapter with institutional funds while other colleges pledge to not reduce institutional aid due to the Dollars for Scholars scholarship.

Students and their families truly benefit from each scholarship dollar. Scholarships assist the students and help to lower student loan debt.

Dollars for Scholars chapters in Putnam County awarded 76 scholarships in 2020 to deserving students who attended Putnam County High Schools. These students will be attending trade schools, certificate programs and associate and bachelor degree programs. Many of the awarded scholarships are endowments started by individuals or associations.

The Farm to Fork dinner is just one way these Dollars for Scholars chapters try to assist these students in their quests.

In 2019, the Putnam County Farm to Fork dinner was an all-county scholarship fundraiser. Cloverdale, Greencastle, North Putnam and South Putnam met for months to plan this fundraiser. Organizers applied for and received a grant from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. With the help of sponsors and guests, they raised more than $10,000 for Putnam County students.

The Putnam County 100+ Men Who Care recognized these efforts and awarded the organization a quarterly grant.

While this generosity of the community is greatly appreciated, there is always a chance to help more students. Awarding 76 scholarships in 2020 was quite a feat, but there were additional students who applied for funds that were not available.

Anyone wishing to help may do so by making reservations for the 2020 Farm to Fork dinner. Reservations are $40 each and need to be made by Sept. 1. Paper reservations are available at Myers’ Market. They are available online at www.northputnam.dollarsforscholars.org. Click on the, “Donate Now” tab, complete the form and in the scholarship box enter “Farm to Fork” and the number of reservations.

North Putnam Dollars for Scholars is the financial agent for this event but all dollars raised are equally divided between the four Putnam County Dollars for Scholars Chapters.

Additionally, sponsors for the Farm to Fork dinner will receive recognition at the Farm to Fork drive-through. The sponsorship levels are Silver: $100 to $499, Gold: $500 to $999 and Platinum: $1,000 and above.

To make a sponsorship donation, visit www.northputnam.dollarsforscholars.org or contact your school Dollars for Scholars Chapter.