A total of 156,479 individuals turned to the Great Plains Food Bank and our network of feeding programs for food assistance in 2023. This alarming statistic is the highest single-year total in the organization’s 40-year history. This means that our food bank helped 1-in-5 individuals and 1-in-3 children across our service region last year. In 2020, a year ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, the previous record of 145,587 individuals were served, equating to 1-in-6 individuals in the region.

Great Plains Food Bank CEO Melissa Sobolik said, “Our neighbors are still seeing the economic impacts of inflation and high food prices and it’s continuing to have devastating effects on those struggling to make ends meet. This isn’t a record-breaking celebration, instead it’s a call to action. While I am incredibly proud of our organization for stepping up to meet this unprecedented demand, we can’t do it alone. Now is the time to join us, get engaged and help to end hunger together.”

Read the full article HERE

Piloted in the Fargo area by the Great Plains Food Bank in January 2023, Kitchen Coalition pairs restaurants that are passionate about ending hunger with local shelters, focusing on an often overlooked yet large demographic facing food insecurity – the homeless population.

“The meals we get here are a blessing,” said Tracy, who utilizes the program through the Gladys Ray Shelter and the Downtown Engagement Center.

In a short amount of time, the program has grown to providing as many as 335 meals in a single week. Those are meals that otherwise would be going to waste.

Read the full article HERE

At their recent annual pancake carnival, Fargo Kiwanis recognized our CEO Melissa Sobolik as a “Champion for Kids” for all of her work in fighting childhood hunger across the region. Being an exceptional advocate for the more than 50,000 children who rely on our food bank each year is only part of a long list of her abilities, although it may be her best!

Fargo Kiwanis also recognized the "Fill the Dome" project with an organizational award for their hunger-fighting efforts!

Beginning in 2007, the annual "Fill the Dome" event brought in more than 2.4 million pounds of food and a total of

$700,000. The project is led by student leaders and volunteers from over 50 area schools, with support from the Great Plains Food Bank. This project plays a significant role in addressing food insecurity and also serves as a valuable experience for emerging community leaders.

Gifts of Mention



Thanks to all that continue to aid our work across North Dakota! We would like to recognize some recent gifts that have made a substantial impact in the fight to end hunger: Amazon.com, Inc: $10,000.00 (food recovery & distribution); Coborn's, Inc.: $98,991, from Feed Hope customer support register campaign; Feeding America: $70,264 (food recovery & distribution, advocacy support); First Lutheran Church, Williston: $15,000 (food recovery & distribution); Hope Lutheran Church, Fargo: $34,200 (backpack program support for McKinley, Lewis & Clark and Willow Park elementary schools); Marathon Oil Company: $20,000.00 (childhood hunger-relief in western ND)

The Great Plains Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry provides fresh vegetables, fruits, shelf-stable items, meat, bakery items, boxed goods and more to communities in need. Items are distributed right off of our truck by our staff and volunteers and delivered directly to people in need. Distributions are set up as a drive-through where clients are able to stay in their cars and items are placed directly inside their vehicle. All in need of food assistance are welcome to come and receive food at no cost!