09/04/2026
This is what it looks like when a community comes together to support its own in a fun, creative - and delicious! - way.
Our annual Ribeye Raffle set new records this year, raising $26,756 for local food banks while also supporting 4-H and FFA youth at the Northwest Montana Fair.
The idea behind the program is pretty simple, but the impact is powerful.
Each year, the Co-op purchases livestock from local youth during the 4-H and FFA Market Sale. Most of that meat is donated directly to local food banks. The premium ribeye steaks are raffled off, generating even more money for those same organizations.
The program makes an impact twice: first by supporting young people who have invested months raising and caring for their livestock, and again by helping food banks serve families throughout Northwest Montana.
This year, a record 31,504 raffle tickets were sold, with proceeds benefiting seven local food banks. Those organizations also received more than 1,000 pounds of donated meat.
Over the Ribeye Raffle’s 11-year history, the program has now provided more than $138,000 and 12,000 pounds of meat to area food banks.
Flathead Food Bank Executive Director Chris Sidmore described it well:
“This is what taking care of a community looks like. It is local people finding a creative way to help other local people.”
A big thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, the local 4-H and FFA youth who participated, and all of the organizations that help turn this fun tradition into meaningful support for our neighbors.
Read more: https://www.flatheadelectric.com/record-ribeye-raffle-supports-local-food-banks-local-youth-at-northwest-montana-fair/
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