Shepherd’s Inn’s annual raffle fundraiser returns with over $5,000 in prizes and a chance to win a whole cow

IDAHO FALLS — A local nonprofit that offers free pregnancy and parenting education for parents and young families is hosting its annual raffle fundraiser, where one lucky winner can take home a whole cow.

The Shepherd’s Inn’s 26th annual Win the Whole Cow fundraiser began this month, and community members can buy raffle tickets to win a whole cow, processed by Riverbend Ranch, plus the winner gets an upright freezer to store it.

Raffle participants can also win over $5,000 in additional prizes donated by local businesses and nonprofit supporters. Prizes include gift baskets, gift cards to local restaurants or stores, and even date night packages.

The money raised will go back to Shepherd’s Inn.

The raffle ends on Oct. 31, and winners will be drawn on Nov. 3

EastIdahoNews.com spoke with Julie Zahn, director of Shepherd’s Inn, who said the nonprofit began in 1998 as a maternity home but later shifted its program to work with new parents and educate them on infant care, budgeting, prenatal nutrition and other services.

These services are free, and Zahn said fundraisers like Win the Whole Cow and donations help continue offering the program to community members.

“We really work hard to raise the money so that we can put it right back into our education program and support families,” Zahn said.

Those who sign up for classes meet once a week with a pregnancy support counselor to create personalized plans that help new parents walk through the steps of pregnancy and the baby’s first year of life.

Some of the new ways the program has met the community’s needs include a mobile curriculum that delivers educational materials to parents’ phones, classes in Spanish and a new fatherhood course.

While the program does not offer medical, mental health or recovery counseling, Zahn said they can refer folks to other local organizations that can help.

“We’re helping establish people who don’t have a good support system, so that they’re better equipped to be successful parents,” Zahn said.

Those in the program also earn vouchers for attending the nonprofit’s weekly meetings with its counselors. They can redeem these vouchers for baby supplies or a $25 gas card each month.

For those interested in purchasing raffle tickets, early-bird pricing is available until Sept. 30: one raffle ticket costs $7, and 10 tickets cost up to $50. After Sept. 30, one ticket will cost $10, and 15 tickets will cost $100.

To learn more about Shepherd’s Inn or to purchase tickets, visit www.shepherdsinn.org.