SPOKANE — Washington ranchers and the beef industry wrapped up the summer Beef Counts program by donating a $50,000 check and 726 pounds of food to local families during a recent event in Spokane.

The Washington State Beef Commission, Agri Beef Co., Second Harvest food bank and Rosauers grocery stores hosted the event.

The ranchers and Agri Beef also presented Second Harvest with $50,000 for the Beef Counts program in 2024, celebrating their 14th year of commitment to the program.

“This event shows the power of community partnerships in fighting hunger. Coming together with Second Harvest, Rosauers and Agri Beef to provide beef to our neighbors in need is important to us,” Pomeroy, Wash., rancher, and mobile Beef Counts representative Pete Charriere said in a beef commission press release. “Doing what we can to help get beef to people who need it in our community is just the right thing to do, and we love doing it.”

“This event truly exemplified the power of collaboration and community spirit,” said Drew Meuer, Second Harvest president. “We are immensely grateful to Washington’s beef community and their partners Agri Beef and Rosauers for their unwavering support, which will have a profound impact on the lives of families facing food insecurity in our region.”