FEC raffle raises funds for food banks

Flathead Electric Cooperative's 2024 Ribeye Raffle raised $19,008 in cash and approximately 1,000 pounds of meat for donation to the North Valley, Columbia Falls, Flathead, Bigfork, West Shore, Libby, and NW Montana Veterans food banks.

As part of its commitment to the community members who own the cooperative, Flathead Electric purchases beef, lamb, and hogs each year during the 4-H and FFA  Market Sale at the Northwest Montana Fair and at the Lincoln County Fair. The meat goes to the food banks, except for the prime steak cuts, which are raffled off. This year, the co-op purchased beef from Ryder Clouse and Boe Tutvedt; lamb from Kayla McConkey; and hogs from Tessa Pheifer and Addisyn Jensen and Mesa Olsen and Jason Quintanilla.

Raffle winners Brian Hagen of Kalispell and Shari Roe of Creston each received approximately 60 one-inch-thick premium Montana t-bone and ribeye steaks, valued at about $1,100.

Will Tutvedt, the co-op’s community outreach specialist and ribeye raffle organizer, is thrilled with the results of this year’s raffle.

“The support and generosity from our community this year has been outstanding," Tutvedt said. "It’s always inspiring to see so many people come together for a cause that benefits our local food banks. By purchasing tickets, our members are not only getting a chance at some great local steaks, but they’re making a real difference in people’s lives."

Over the last nine years, Ribeye Raffle has raised $89,588 in cash and donated approximately 8,000 pounds of meat to local food banks. Ticket sales are closed for 2024 but will be available again in summer of 2025.