R.D. Offutt Company’s RDO Caters Taters raised a total of $112,050 to support Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead, a mission-driven nonprofit committed to disrupting the cycle of poverty — two generations at a time.
“We’re so excited and grateful for this support,” said Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead’s Executive Director, Laetitia Mizero Hellerud. “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 where 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.
Earlier this spring, RDO Caters Taters selected Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead after an extensive application process.
“Since 2014 when Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead started, we have significantly increased the numbers of enrolled moms and children and built more collaborations to continue growing our reach,” Laetitia said. “We are now not only supporting
on-campus moms but also those living off campus.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, single moms have struggled with the increased cost of living, childcare and mental health.
Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead 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.
“Historically, women and especially those from minoritized groups (Blacks, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, people living with disabilities, etc.) have been impacted by poverty at a much higher rate,” Laetitia said. “Holistic support,
like what Jeremiah Program is providing, is more needed in times like this.”
Tim Curoe, R.D. Offutt Company’s chief executive officer, explained why the Jeremiah Fargo-Moorhead Program was chosen. “RDO has a long history of supporting impactful community organizations,” he said. “When we learned that demand
for programming offered by Jeremiah Program had increased more than 70%, we knew there was an unmet community need and we could be a part of addressing it with Caters Taters.”
RDO Caters Taters is coordinated and executed entirely by RDO team members. Many have more than 10 years
of service under their belt.
“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.”
More than 50 area companies joined with the RDO Caters Taters volunteers to support through product partners and sponsorships.
“RDO Caters Taters is a uniquely creative event that unites the community behind one cause,” Laetitia said. “Jeremiah Program will benefit from this opportunity beyond the money raised.”
David Shultz, President of Schultz & Associates and Jeramiah 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 building, and 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.
Check out this event recap video.
Caters Taters 2022 from RDO Equipment Co. on Vimeo.
Applications for the 2023 beneficiary open early next year. To receive updates, sign up for the RDO Caters Taters newsletter or follow RDO Caters Taters on Facebook and
Instagram.
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Discover how RDO team members engage with their communities through these stories.
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For more information about the R.D. Offutt Company, contact communications@rdoffutt.com.
