From the Gridiron to the Farm:
Meet Jason Brown, 30th Annual Reaching Out Celebration Keynote Speaker
Hopelink is proud to welcome Jason Brown as the keynote speaker for the 30th Annual Reaching Out Celebration. Jason’s journey is one of faith, resilience, and remarkable transformation. Once a successful NFL offensive lineman, Jason made headlines not for a touchdown or a contract deal, but for what he chose to leave behind. At the height of his professional football career, he walked away from the league to follow a calling rooted in service and compassion, establishing First Fruits Farm in Louisburg, North Carolina. There, Jason and his family have grown and donated more than 2 million pounds of fresh food to fight hunger in communities that need it most.
Jason’s story mirrors the values at the heart of Hopelink’s work, particularly the importance of access to healthy, nutritious food. Just as First Fruits Farm was founded on the belief that no one should go hungry, Hopelink’s Food Assistance program supports individuals and families through five no-cost markets and a mobile market that brings nutritious food directly into underserved neighborhoods. Through these programs, Hopelink provides not only nourishment but dignity and choice.
In many ways, Jason’s mission also aligns with Hopelink’s Harvest program, which purchases and gleans fresh, local produce from nearby farms, farmers’ markets, and gardens for distribution through Hopelink Food Markets. Hopelink Harvest purchased an estimated 77,211 pounds of produce from local farms, helping combat food insecurity with healthy options that might otherwise be out of reach for many families. Like Jason’s work at First Fruits Farm, Hopelink Harvest is about building a bridge between abundance and need.
A day of gleaning radishes and strawberries at OxBow Farms. Photo Credit: Josh Krupke
As we celebrate 30 years of the Reaching Out Celebration, this milestone event is stepping into a new chapter, transforming into an evening event that brings our community together around shared stories and a vision of a community free of poverty. Held at the Meydenbauer Center on October 16, 2025, the event will feature personal stories from those who’ve used Hopelink’s services and staff members, all while offering a deeper look into the work we do year-round to meet basic needs and build lasting stability.
Whether you’re a long-time supporter or joining us for the first time, this year’s Reaching Out Celebration promises to inspire. Jason Brown’s keynote will highlight how purpose-driven action, whether on a farm, at a nonprofit, or at a Community Action Agency can sow the seeds of real, lasting change. His story reminds us that service often starts with a simple question: “What do I have to give?”