Flathead Electric Cooperative's 2025 Ribeye Raffle raised $21,683 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.  

Over the last 10 years, the Ribeye Raffle has contributed $111,606 in cash and approximately 10,000 pounds of meat to those same food banks. 

Katie Pfennigs, community relations manager for the Co-op, said Ross Holter, who served the co-op for many years as the director of energy and member services, came up with the idea for the Ribeye Raffle. As part of our commitment to community, Flathead Electric had frequently purchased beef, lamb, and hogs during the yearly 4-H and FFA Market Sale at the Northwest Montana and Lincoln County fairs. 

“We had always ground and donated the meat to the food banks, but we realized that we could provide more value for our food banks if we raffled the prime cuts and donated the proceeds, as well as the rest of the ground meat,” Pfennigs recalled. “And Ross didn’t like to see those ribeyes being ground to hamburger.” 

Since 2019, the Raffle has grown, not only in the amount it gives back, but also in its reach and popularity among Co-op members and the wider community. As more people became aware of the event and its positive impact, ticket sales steadily increased, prompting the Co-op to explore new ways to make participation even easier.  

This enthusiasm led to the pursuit and eventual approval of selling Ribeye Raffle tickets online, streamlining the process for supporters near and far, and growing proceeds from ticket sales from around $2,000 per year to over $20,000 per year. 

“To be celebrating 10 years, 10,000 pounds of meat, and over $100,000 in cash donated to our community’s food banks is incredible, is a testament to the huge hearts of our members,” Pfennigs said.  

This year’s Ribeye Raffle winners, Frederick Cerra of Whitefish and Laird Reed of Kalispell, will each receive approximately 60 one-inch-thick premium Montana T-bone and ribeye steaks, each prize valued at about $1,100. 

Ticket sales are closed for 2025 but will be available again in summer 2026. To learn more, visit flatheadelectric.com/ribeyeraffle.