Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) —The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation presented a check for $236,508 to Feeding South Dakota on Saturday night during the Prime Time Gala & Concert at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. This amount exceeded their original pledge amount of $150,000. Over 1,540 guests attended the fourth annual gala that also included a silent and live auction as well as a raffle of a new truck from Billion Chevrolet. During the gala again this year, a total of $10,000 in scholarships was awarded to four students attending South Dakota schools interested in the improvement of beef production and promotion to aid in their education. After the gala concluded, the night was highlighted with a country music concert at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center with Carly Pearce, Scotty McCreery and headliner, Martina McBride.
"The results from this year's Gala are so exciting,” exclaimed Ryan Eichler, President of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation. Our board of directors are so grateful to all of those involved with this event. From our corporate partners, to everyone in attendance Saturday night, the people of the Prime Time Gala is what makes it so successful and will ensure its legacy. We're honored to provide Feeding South Dakota with much needed funds to procure beef; the most powerful protein in the world!"
While protein is a critical part of any meal, it has made up less than 5.8% of the 13.5 million pounds of food that Feeding South Dakota distributes on an annual basis. High quality protein, like beef, plays an important role in overall health, including weight control, by increasing satiety and helping to build and maintain muscle mass.
“We felt like it was our responsibility as an industry to help provide to those in our state that need it the most,” exclaimed Eichler. “The agricultural industry has been blessed so much and this is a way for us to give back in a big way.”
This year’s donation exceeded the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation goal by over $86,500. "We truly couldn’t do the work that we do if it wasn’t for the support and the generosity of our farmers, our state’s cattlemen and cattlewomen, of the producers and of course, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation,” said Matt Gassen, CEO of Feeding South Dakota.
“They are trying to feed the world, while we’re trying to feed the less fortunate in our state. It’s a beautiful relationship,” said Gassen. Funds raised at the event since 2014 have helped to purchase 414,644 pounds of beef for those across South Dakota. These donations have been distributed to all 66 counties in the state.
For more information about the 2018 Prime Time Gala that will be held on June 23, 2018, be sure to visit the event website soon at http://www.SDPrimeTimeGala.