When Amy Sutton, executive director of Hastings Family Service, started with the organization 15 years ago, she said one of her first calls was from Treasure Island Resort & Casino.

“They said, ‘we have a few hundred turkeys,’” Sutton Said. “’Would you like them?’”

Despite Hastings Family Service only having one “household chest freezer,” Sutton accepted. Before long, there were “turkeys everywhere.” Churches, schools, anywhere Sutton could find freezer space, she was storing turkeys from Treasure Island.

Following that experience, Sutton wrote her first grant for an industrial walk-in freezer, in case Treasure Island called again. “And they did,” Sutton said.

Fifteen years later, Hastings Family Service is Treasure Island’s Charity of the Month; an initiative dedicated to spotlighting and fundraising for local community organizations. According to Aaron Seehusen, Treasure Island Public Relations Manager, the choice was obvious.

“The Hastings Community is obviously very important to Treasure Island,” Seehusen said. “It’s just 15 minutes from Treasure Island. A lot of our guests (and team members) come from Hastings. So, it’s important to us to give back to communities who are closest to us, and support their people and organizations in need.”

The timing of the program is essential for Hastings Family Service.

“We raise about a third of our budget in the last six weeks of the year,” Sutton said. “Between Give to the Max Day and Gobble Gait, we jump right into our year-end giving.”

The holiday season is always the busiest time of year, Sutton said. Frigid temperatures, added holiday expenses and higher utility costs lead to increased need. In the several years post-COVID-19, the program finds itself facing rapidly increasing demand.

“Our food programs have grown 132% over the past two years,” Sutton said. “And that’s just in our food programs. Across the board, all programs have grown in need, so partnerships are more important than ever.”

Sutton said the program relies on partners like Treasure Island for two things: volunteers and fundraising.

Hastings Family Service operates with 12 full-time employees (16 total). Through volunteers, it fills nearly 1000 shifts a month, or an equivalent of 14 additional full-time employees.

The Charity of the Month receives a spot on TIcasino.com, in-casino branding and opportunities for guests to turn their fun into fundraising.

Treasure Island guests are encouraged to donate unclaimed slot tickets at electronic kiosks and donation boxes distributed throughout the casino floor. Treasure Island matches every donation made on Saturdays.

“It’s great because we get to partner with our guests,” Seehusen said. “It’s not just Treasure Island giving back; it’s sort of a community give back program. Then money goes to the community, to nonprofits and organizations that are meaningful to Treasure Island and the Prairie Island Indian Community.”

Island Bingo also holds a daily Charity Bingo game. The special game costs $1, with a portion of the proceeds going to Hastings Family Service this December.

“The most valuable dollars to us are those we can use wherever they’re needed most,” Sutton said. “We’re able to take a look at the dollars and think, what will have the greatest impact?”

The work doesn’t end with fundraising, though.

Treasure Island’s fundraising efforts will go where they’re needed most, serving the community through staffing, food programs.

For donations, volunteering and recipient information, visit HastingsFamilyService.org.

For more information about Treasure Island’s Charity of the Month program, visit TIcasino.com.