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THE MISSION of the Community Food Banks of South Dakota
is to eliminate hunger in South Dakota
THE VISION of the Community Food Banks of South Dakota is to
lead in the effort to eliminate hunger in our state by
- Developing hunger solutions in communities throughout the state
- Acquiring food, through donations and purchases
- Distributing food, both directly to clients and through hunger relief organizations
- Establishing Community Food Banks of South Dakota as a source of information and assistance regarding services and programs available to alleviate hunger
- Advocating at the state and federal level on behalf of the hungry
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Bringing the power of partnership to the fight against hunger
in SD
In January of 2004, the Boards of Directors of The Food Service
Center, Inc. in Sioux Falls, SD, and The Black Hills Regional
Food Bank, Inc. in Rapid City, SD, unanimously voted to merge the
two largest charitable food distribution organizations in the
state. The decision to merge the two organizations came as the result of a joint twelve-month study into the feasibility of such an endeavor. The results of the merger analysis concluded that the two organizations could combine their common missions to more effectively address hunger issues all across South Dakota. Additionally, by collaborating on product solicitation and transportation partnerships greater quantities of food could be procured to meet the increasing demand for assistance.
A new name, Community Food Banks of South Dakota, was
selected to reflect the statewide mission of meeting hunger
needs. This merger brought together a combined 45 years of
experience in providing hunger relief across South Dakota.
Additionally, the talents and resources of these two
organizations expands the reach and depth of the fight
against hunger in our state.
At the Food Banks we distribute donated, purchased and reclaimed food to over 500 nonprofit charitable organizations, in all 66 counties of South Dakota, who provide meals and emergency food boxes to those in need. In 2008, the Community Food Banks of South Dakota as a whole distributed over 8.3 million pounds of food in this fight against hunger. Through our food reclamation program, we were able to handle, sort and box over 750,000 pounds of wholesome and edible food product. Our partnership with Feeding America provides us with access to millions of pounds of food product that is donated by corporations all across America. It is through this affiliation that we are able to provide a wider variety of store shelf quality food to our organizations.
Both Food Banks also operate the "BackPack Program." This program is focused at providing food to children who would otherwise be at risk of going hungry. Currently in Rapid City there are 1,147 backpacks of food being delivered to 15 schools every Friday afternoon. At the same time, on the other side of the state, Sioux Falls is packing 2,450 backpacks and being distributed to 34 schools. This program is in place for the entire school year from September through May.
Our community pantries in Sioux Falls and Rapid City
provide emergency food to individuals and families throughout
the local community who are in need of food assistance. Citywide networks of referral agencies direct needy clients to the
pantry.
At the Community Food Banks of South Dakota our goal has and
always will be to do all that we can to help in the fight
against hunger in South Dakota.
The Food Service Center, Inc. - Sioux Falls Food Bank
organizational history
In 1975, the Sioux Falls Ministerial Association met to discuss forming a community food pantry. Their objective was to have a centralized place where those in need of food would go to receive groceries. The pantry was to be supported by the churches with food and money. Madeline Boos was hired to be the first director. The pantry was located on the second floor of the Salvation Army on North Main.
The pantry moved to East 8th Street in 1982. In the same year, Feeding America was contacted to see if a food bank would be established. With the establishment of the food bank, the food pantry and food bank were given a new name, The Food Service Center, Inc. The food bank would solicit donations locally and get an allocation of Feeding America donations through an association with the Omaha Food Bank. The donations were distributed to the food pantry, other food pantries and meal providing organizations, mainly in Minnehaha County. The qualifications to use the food bank services are: be a pantry or meal providing organization, have a 501 (c)(3) designation with the IRS, and serve low-income families.
Starting in 1991, renewed efforts were made to find organizations in eastern South Dakota and find more resources for donations of food. The increase in donations and organizations to serve, lead to the building of a new warehouse in 1994 at 3511 North 1st Street.
Black Hills Regional Food Bank, Inc. - Rapid City Food Bank
organizational history
In June of 1982 a committee of Rapid City business and social program leaders explored setting up a non-profit “Food Bank” that would distribute primarily donated food to agencies serving needy people. At that time 46 food banks were operating in larger cities across the country.
In 1983, Alyce McKay, Eleanor Frost and Linda Lea Viken formed a non-profit corporation named Black Hills Regional Food Bank, Inc. The food was distributed out of a garage, but moving to the National Guard Camp in December of 1983. At that time Anthony Murphy was hired as the Program Director.
In 1985 the Board of Directors hired Cal Ackerman as the Director of the Food Bank. Serving only 20 agencies and distributing 26,030 pounds of food. Cal Ackerman was the Director until his death in 1990. Gene Steinley was hired at that time until his retirement in 1999. Matt Gassen was then hired as the new Executive Director.
The Food Bank relocated several times, including the Rapid City Care Center at 30 Main St. (912 square foot), Western South Dakota Community Action program on Lombardy Dr. (2,700 square foot). In December of 1995 the Food Bank bought a facility at 814 N. Maple Ave. (14,000 square foot). At this time the Food Bank distributed 1,344,539 pounds of food serving 150 agencies.
In 1997 the Food Bank became an affiliate of Feeding America, distributing 1,690,546 pounds of food to 200 agencies and serving 9 counties covering 19,321 square miles in South Dakota.
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