Collecting seals from feed bags helps horse-related organizations

By Anne Craig

Empty feed bags can be turned into cash for horse-related organizations through Southern States' Special Horse Organization Winners (SHOW) Program. At last count, more than 400 groups are currently earning money by collecting the proof-of-purchase seals from bags of feed purchased at Southern States stores.

Nonprofit groups and horse clubs are eligible. Participating groups include riding clubs, 4-H groups, breed associations, therapeutic riding centers and equine rescue organizations.

The SHOW Program dates back to the early 1990s and several organizations began participating then. Blue Ridge Eventing Association in Roanoke, Va., has been active in the program since 1992. The 4-H Stablemates Club of Fredericksburg, Va., has participated since 1994.

Bit and Spur Saddle Club of Jacksonville, Fla., has earned cash for its activities through the SHOW Program since 2000. Equivision Therapeutic Riding Center in Ashland, Ky., began in 2002 and Stolen Horse International began supplementing the cost of finding stolen horses through the SHOW Program in 2003.

"For every bag of Legends® or Triple Crown® feed, your organization will receive 25 cents."

The SHOW Program is administered by Southern States from the Richmond, Va., corporate office. Local Southern States stores are not involved, except to provide the quality horse feed that generates revenue for the growing program.

Charlotte Layne of Southern States Feed Merchandising and Operations in Richmond has administered the SHOW Program for the last three years. "We've received as many as 3,000 proofs-of-purchase seals at once," she says.

All funds received from the SHOW Program must be used for events that specifically benefit the horse industry. Southern States should be mentioned as a sponsor of any events SHOW money is used for. As often as possible, Southern States representatives attend those events.

To begin putting feed bags to work for your organization, register your organization with Southern States in Richmond, Va. Call Charlotte Layne at (804) 281-1481.

How to get started in the SHOW Program: Register your organization with Southern States in Richmond, Va. Call (804) 281-1481. Designate a contact person to collect and submit proofs of purchase. Get everyone you know to clip and save the proof-of-purchase seals found on the back of each bag of feed purchased at a Southern States store. For bulk feed purchases, submit the customer copy of the delivery ticket.

It's possible to schedule a representative to make a presentation about SHOW to your nonprofit horse club or breed association.

Then, get everyone you know to clip and save the proof-of-purchase seals found on the back of each bag of feed purchased at a Southern States store. For bulk feed purchases, submit the customer copy of the delivery ticket.

For every bag of Legends^® or Triple Crown^® feed, your organization will receive 25 cents, and $10 per ton on delivered bulk Legends or Triple Crown pelleted feeds. For each proof of purchase from Reliance^® feed bags your organization will receive 10 cents. You can earn $4 per ton on bulk bin delivered Reliance pellets.

Designate a contact person to collect proofs of purchase, and submit as often as you like. Your contact person will send the organization's current membership list to Southern States, and update it annually.

If you are not a member of a participating organization but would like to help, call Charlotte Layne. She'll put you in contact with an organization who will appreciate receiving your help in turning empty feed bags into cash for their worthy cause.

Choice Candy is World Grand Champion Trail Pleasure Horse

Choice Candy and Debby Maiden of Elkton, Va., won the world trail pleasure horse championship at the 2004 World Racking Celebration held in Decatur, Ala. "There were 21 horses in the finals and seven were past world champions," Debby says. "I was the only first-timer in the ring."

Debby and husband, Rick, buy feed at the Pro Cal Store in Elkton, a branch of Rockingham Co-op. They feed Reliance^® 12 and Legends^® 10."

Attesting to the six-year-old gelding's excellent condition and care, his tail drags the ground two feet. "I had to trim about eight inches off because other horses stepped on it," Debby says.

The Maidens are SHOW Program participants, too. They are members of the Shenandoah Valley Horseman's Association. "Dr. Marty Adams of Southern States was a guest speaker," Debby says, "and now our club members are saving seals off the bags."