Be Our Guest Benefit Fundraiser Kicks Off

by Breanna Fuss, Reporter
February 16, 2013 5:29 PM


The fundraising for the third annual ‘Be Our Guest,’ concert benefit was kicked off Saturday. Area dairy farmers are teaming together with local stores to raise money for Feeding South Dakota.

For many of us, grabbing a glass of milk, or a slice of cheese out of the refrigerator seems like second nature. But for some, it’s a luxury they can’t afford. Luxuries that even food pantries can’t give them because they don’t have the means to keep the products fresh.

“A lot of young families coming in and saying they want dairy products,” said Jim Dawson, Feeding South Dakota.

Dawson said because milk is easily perishable, the local food pantries cant keep it on hand, or have people donate it. So, for a third year, the Midwest Dairy Association, Hy-Vee, Lewis Drug, and First Bank and Trust have teamed up to change that by holding the ‘Be Our Guest,’ benefit concert.

“Our portion of that is to raise some funds buy inviting some of our consumers in the Sioux Falls area to attend this if they donate $10 to Feeding South Dakota,” said Robert Scheibe, Midwest Dairy Association.

Each person that donates $10 will receive a ticket to the Phil Vassar concert that will take place during the Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls in March.

“All the money that will be raised will be used to purchase dairy products,” said Scheibe.

Products that will help the 250 to 350 families the organization serves each week.

“We can go out and buy those products when we need them, and we can buy what we need,” said Dawson.

So if you see a table like this one on your way out, milk in cart, association representatives said remember one thing.

“Just think of those other people who may not have the opportunity to get fresh dairy products,” said Scheibe.

On Saturday $750 was raised. The goal is to raise more than 2012’s total of over $12,000.

People have until Mar. 26th to donate at all Hy-Vee, Lewis Drug and First Bank and Trust locations in Sioux Falls.

For more information on how to donate you can check out the Midwest Dairy Associations website .