PARKER, S.D. (WNAX) – Midwest Dairy officials say they are donating $500,000 to food banks in 10 Midwest states to purchase dairy products for people in need. Midwest Dairy Chairman Allen Merrill who runs a dairy farm near Parker, South Dakota says the donation came after visiting with their members who wanted to help those food banks facing shortages due to the demand spurred by the COVID 19 pandemic.

He says the dairy industry has faced recent economic challenges and are looking past that and doing what they can to help others less fortunate.

Merrill says the processors Midwest Dairy works with also are helping with this donation.

Midwest Dairy has 6,500 members representing ten states. The group is re-allocating checkoff dollars to purchase the dairy products to help with the donation.