R.D. Offutt Company’s RDO Caters Taters event raised $112,050 for Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead, a nonprofit in our community which deploys a variety of initiatives and programs to support single mothers and their children through affordable housing, early childhood education and daycare, a 12-week mentoring program, and a community of accountability.
Jeremiah Program’s Executive Director, Laetitia Mizero Hellerud, and Director of Development Andrea Williams received the donation Friday, Nov. 4 after the volunteer-led luncheon generated six figures with the help of the Fargo-Moorhead, West Fargo community.
“We’re so excited and grateful for this support,” she said. “With this significant amount of money, we will be able to do some great work with our single mothers and children.”
In its 22nd year, this is the largest amount donated to a community nonprofit. Since its inaugural year when it served only 500 people, this event has grown to serve more than 2,500 people during the two-hour potato luncheon.
Proceeds were raised through in-person and take-out baked potato ticket sales, and raffle ticket sales leading up to and during the event, and more than 50 product and sponsors.
Earlier this summer, RDO Caters Taters selected Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead after an extensive interview and application.
“It was truly a great partnership. We felt it the moment we were selected and throughout the event day. We were included in all the steps,” Laetitia said.
In fact, Laetitia said it’s going to be hard to not collaborate on that level going forward, but the Jeremiah Program team feels they gained partners, ambassadors from the RDO team and RDO Caters Taters sponsors, and attendees.
“Every year we work with a different charity and it’s been so fun to partner with them to learn more about the work they are doing and help our team members be more educated,” Jessi Zenker, Offutt Family Foundation Program Manager said. “This year, Jeremiah Program Fargo Moorhead was a dream to work with; they were so engaged and made it so rewarding for the whole RDO Caters Taters team.”
David Shultz, President of Schultz & Associates and Jeremiah Program Fargo Moorhead Board member, highlighted how RDO’s growth over the years has coincided with its expanding community engagement through events like RDO Caters Taters.
“This success of this event is going to impact our ability to serve single moms in the community,” Schultz said.
Since its inaugural year in 2000, RDO Caters Taters for Charity has raised nearly $1 million for more than a dozen local charities including BIO Girls, Great Plains Food Bank, PATH of North Dakota, Valley Senior Services, and many more.
Caters Taters 2022 from RDO Equipment Co. on Vimeo.
Applications for the 2023 beneficiary will open early next year. To receive updates, like the Facebook page and follow RDOCatersTaters on Instagram.
