Montana Pasties Being Sold For A Big Purpose

Butte is known for a few things—its deep Irish roots, the iconic Our Lady of the Rockies, a tight-knit community, and, of course, pasties. So what happens when you bring all those together? A massive fundraiser that's happening right now!

A local group is rolling up their sleeves to make 3,000 pasties, all to help fund a tram to Our Lady of the Rockies and support maintenance on the towering statue. With a $55 million goal, every pasty sold brings them one step closer. Here's what you need to know about the fundraiser and some fascinating facts about this beloved landmark.

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The annual Lady of The Rockies fundraiser has been going strong for more than 30 years and isn't slowing down anytime soon. All the pasties are made from scratch, with new volunteers and veterans of the cause passing down the tradition. To achieve making 3,000 pasties, the volunteers have to make 600 a day.

One of the primary purposes of the funding is to build a tram that will transport visitors to Our Lady of the Rockies. If you're not familiar with this statue, it is the 4th tallest statue in America, standing at 88.6 feet tall and completed in 1985. Seated atop a mountain overlooking Butte, with her arms wide open, she serves as a tribute to mothers everywhere.

If you'd like to support the project, you can find them at the historic St. Mary's Catholic Church, which is the headquarters of Our Lady of the Rockies Foundation. The pasties are only $7 each, and they will take cash or checks.

Credit: KPAX, theCollector, HistoricMT