Concert raises more than $15K to purchase dairy products

SIOUX FALLS – Thanks to the support of hundreds of South Dakotans, dairy farm families presented Feeding South Dakota with a donation of $15,886 following a benefit concert on March 25. Dairy farmers invited the public to “Be Our Guest” at the Roots and Boots tour concert featuring Joe Diffie, Sammy Kershaw and Aaron Tippin at the annual Central Plains Dairy Expo for a $10 donation to Feeding South Dakota. Donations will be used to purchase dairy foods to stock food banks across the state.

“Thank you to everyone who donated to this program, and to dairy farm families for making it possible,” said Jim Dawson, eastern operations manager for Feeding South Dakota. “Dairy products are some of the most requested products at food pantries, but make up less than 5 percent of the total product mix at Feeding South Dakota. This donation will help fill that gap and provide nutritious dairy products to South Dakotans in need.”

The “Be Our Guest” concert events have been held for four years, generating a total of more than $45,000 in donations to Feeding South Dakota.

“Dairy farmers work every day to produce a wholesome, nutritious product, and we’re excited that this program will make those products more widely available to those served by Feeding South Dakota,” said Allen Merrill, dairy farmer from Parker, South Dakota.”

Donations were accepted at First Bank & Trust locations in Sioux Falls, Brookings, Canton and Garretson, Lewis Drug Store locations in Sioux Falls, Brandon, Brookings, Huron and Madison, and Hy-Vee stores in Sioux Falls.