Every year, at the end of the Manatee County Fair, the steer sale takes place.

Dozens of steers were sold on Saturday afternoon at the fairgrounds in Palmetto.

"They said it would help for college," said Hannah Whitaker, a Freshman at Palmetto High School. "It helps with the funding."

This was the first year Whitaker, 14, raised a steer. She said she plans on using the funds raised from the sale to help further her education.

Each steer has the potential to bring in a few thousand dollars, but some of the steer are doing more than just helping send the students to college, they’re also helping those in need.

The sale of some steers helps feed the hungry and the meat goes to the Food Bank of Manatee County.

“We get hundreds of pounds of meat and it’s always good quality,” said Cindy Sloan, the Director of the Food Bank.  “I’m sure we feed hundreds of families every year.”

Sloan said every year, instead of taking the meat home for themselves, people and businesses donate it to them.

Mosaic has been doing this for years.

"This goes back to our very core mission, which is to help the world grow the food it needs and put some of that back on your dinner table,” said Jackie Barron, with Mosaic.  “In this case, we give it to some of those who are neediest in this community."

It’s a generous donation, Dannie Glassburn, 14, has witnessed.

Over the years, Mosaic has purchased several steers from her.

"They’re helping a lot of people and it makes me feel happy,” said Glassburn, a freshman at Palmetto High School.  “It makes me feel like I’m raising an animal for someone that needs it most."

Animals the teens admit it’s hard to say goodbye to.

“It will be hard, but you have to have the mentality that he’s not a pet, and he’s a project,” said Whitaker.

The last day of the Manatee County Fair is Sunday, January 26. The fair is open from noon to 7 p.m.