RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – According to Feeding South Dakota, 106,000 people in the state do not have stable access to food.
Rapid City has more than 20 locations where people can pick up meals or food packets to help fight food insecurity, one of which is the Salvation Army.
“We’re just trying to help people who are maybe having to make decisions about where to get food or, ‘Do I buy food, do I pay rent, do I buy medicine,’ and that affects a lot of children as well,” said Maj. Vangie O’Neill with The Salvation Army’s Rapid City unit.
The Salvation Army offers people two opportunities to get food: Every morning, bread and pastries donated by Panera Bread are set out in the front lobby of the Salvation Army headquarters in Rapid City and served until supplies last.
“We have a food box program where people qualify every 60 days,” O’Neill said, “so people can come in and get food assistance because we know food insecurity is a big issue and it’s important that someone is there to fill that gap.”
The goal of their food program is focused on supporting the whole person, not just providing a meal.
“We try to provide more than just food. We try to give them support, encouragement, a listening ear and provide other services to help them save money on food. It’s not just providing food boxes that we’re really trying to help with,” O’Neill said.
Other organizations helping to end hunger include Feeding South Dakota, Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. More information on food programs and timings can be found here.
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