Franklin County Cattlemen donate beef to local FACS programs

Franklin County Family and Consumer Science programs received a big, beefy boost this month, to the tune of 400 pounds of donated meat.

The yearly donation is a promotion for the Alabama Cattlemen’s October Beef Month initiative. The Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association donated 100 pounds of beef, purchased from the Phil Campbell Piggly Wiggly, to each of the four school FACS programs in Franklin County — at Belgreen, Phil Campbell, Red Bay and Russellville high schools.

Cattlemen presented the hefty donation Oct. 19.

To RHS FACS teacher Cindy Coan, the yearly donation is “essential” for her students. A number of projects are already planned to take advantage of the donation. She noted this is approximately her 35th year to benefit from the program.

“We do gourmet hamburgers,” explained Coan. “Our students create their own recipes with the ground beef. Other projects include the freshmen students making chili, and we use the roast beef to make handmade tacos. These are always fun food labs, and our students look forward to them each year.”

Coan said students would not have these opportunities without the annual beef donation.

“We always appreciate everything the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association does for us,” she added. “They are major supporters of our schools, and our seniors especially appreciate the scholarship opportunities they offer.”

For Phil Campbell High School FACS teacher Aleah Harris, the donation means her students can get started on the projects they’ve been eagerly awaiting, including making spaghetti and tacos “and anything else that we can come up with.”

“We greatly appreciate this donation,” added Harris. “The support of the Franklin County Cattlemen means a lot for our students.”

Franklin County Cattlemen member Caleb Beason said the teachers receive the opportunity to place requests for the specific cuts of beef they prefer.

“It’s always an honor for the Franklin County Cattlemen to help the local schools with their FACS programs through our donation of beef,” explained FC Cattlemen President Michael Pounders. “This allows the students to experience cooking with beef, and it gives them the opportunity to grow their skills.”