A fundraising dance-off launched on behalf of a local food pantry has achieved such a high measure of success some of its future proceeds will be shared with other area nonprofit groups.

Eagle’s Wings, a food pantry based in Washington, will start splitting some of the money generated by the annual Dancing with OUR Stars competition.

Nonprofits that field amateur dance teams to help raise money for Eagle’s Wings will get to keep half of the funds deposited by fans in decorated shoe boxes left outside the competition venue.

The shoe boxes are decorated by the dance teams to attract donations.

Eagle’s Wings will keep the remaining half of the shoe-box funds and proceeds from ticket sales.

“We just thought it was time to share,” said Sally Love, executive director of Eagle’s Wings. “It’s an opportunity for nonprofits to raise money in this time when money’s difficult to come by.”

Last year, Dancing with OUR Stars brought in $51,895.78, breaking all previous records for the 3-year-old event.

Now heading into its fourth year, the event is slated to run Aug. 13 at the Washington High School Performing Arts Center.

The competition, which is won by the team that raises the most money, has become Eagle’s Wings biggest fundraising venture.

“We’ve had three very successful years,” said Love.

Dancing with OUR Stars has enabled Eagle’s Wings to increase the amounts of food it gives to people, add services and expand hours, she related.

“We just feel that Dancing with OUR Stars has been so welcomed by the community that we would kind of like to be more inclusive and let the whole community (share) in this and let the other nonprofits also be a part of it,” said Janet Cox, director/choreographer.

This year, teams may be comprised of anywhere from two to 15 people, Cox added.

As usual, the dance-off organizers will provide a choreographer, she pointed out.

“We just feel like this fundraiser has been such a success we want to continue to see it be a success, and we feel a good way to do that is to share with the other nonprofits, and that way the entire community will gain from Dancing with OUR Stars,” Cox said.

Joey Toler, executive director of the Beaufort County Arts Council, received the nonprofit news with enthusiasm, though he wasn’t immediately sure whether his organization would benefit.

“I think that’s wonderful because it has been such a successful event each year,” said Toler. “I don’t know if the arts council can come up with a group that can dance.”

For more information about Dancing With OUR Stars, contact Janet Cox at 252-947-0032 or 252-946-9569, or e-mail her at jscox13@yahoo.com.