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PORTIONS | October 2023
Monthly e-newsletter from the Great Plains Food Bank
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Youth summer meals program more
than quadruples meals provided in 2023
We believe when children are fed, they are equipped to learn, grow and reach their full potential. Following the largest summer in the history of the Great Plains Food Bank Youth Summer Meals Program, more children than ever across the state of North Dakota returned to school this fall following a summer with better nutrition.
Operating at a total of 14 different locations throughout the state, the youth summer meals program provided 23,270 meals for children in need. This is an increase of 17,868 meals over last year’s total of 5,402 meals.
“Children will always be a high priority for us in the work we do,” Great Plains Food Bank Child & Senior Program Manager Jenae Meske said. “Children don’t choose their circumstances and we always strive to offer the best programs we can to feed children in need. I want to thank all the champions in each community that helped make this our best summer ever for youth summer meals.”
Learn more about the program here
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Annual 'Check out Hunger' campaign raises nearly $70k | |
Longtime partners in the fight to end hunger, Hornbacher’s and their loyal base of customers have come together to donate $69,488 to the Great Plains Food Bank through their annual Check Out Hunger campaign.
Now in its 30th year, the Check Out Hunger campaign has raised $895,607 to benefit the Great Plains Food Bank since 1994.
“We all have a stake in our community,” said Hornbacher’s President Matt Leiseth. “Our customers care about their neighbors, and they are proving once again that the people of the Fargo-Moorhead area will take care of each other and reach out to support one another. Hornbacher’s is proud to partner with the Great Plains Food Bank and help support the great work they do for our community every day.”
| Read more about this amazing gift here | |
Stories of Hope: Steve & Leona | |
When he was younger, Steve had a good job as a cook.
He enjoyed the work and expected it would be his lifetime career. But a car accident changed everything. Three friends died; Steve survived with a traumatic brain injury.
Because of his injury, he suffers from anxiety and short-term memory loss, in addition to other symptoms. Those symptoms affect his every-day life, and the days of those around him. “We’ve been together 15 years,” said his wife, Leona. “He still wakes up from nightmares.” Because of his injury, Steve is no longer able to work.
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"There's no shame in needing help."
- Steve Roman
| He is eligible for monthly disability payments, but those don’t go far in supporting his family, which includes two children living at home: a son, who is 13, and a daughter, who is 12. Every week, Steve and Leona seek out items from food pantries to stretch their food budget. | Read Steve & Leona's story here | | |
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Support from Second-Step Foundation will boost backpack program this fall | |
Representatives from the Second Step Foundation paid a visit to both our Bismarck regional service center and statewide distribution center last month.
Members of the foundation graciously presented a gift of $20,000 to the Great Plains Food Bank on behalf of Interstate Companies, which oversees divisions located in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Williston.
Interstate Companies not only makes an impact in our mission to end hunger by providing truck maintenance and service in several locations throughout the region, but also by supporting food bank programs that directly assist children and families living in Cass and Clay counties.
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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: Feeding America (food sourcing activities and mobile food pantry support), Walmart & Sam’s Club customers (Fight Hunger Spark Change register campaign), Hornbacher’s customers (Check Out Hunger register campaign), Devon Energy Corporation (mobile food pantry support), and the City of Bismarck (for safety and ADA enhancements at regional service center, Bismarck).
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Upcoming Mobile Pantry stops | |
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! | |
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October 19
Valley City
Epworth United Methodist Church
680 8th Avenue SW
1:30-3 p.m.
Jamestown
Jamestown High School
1509 10th Street NE
5-6:15 p.m.
October 24
Hettinger
Hettinger Armory
1207 4th Avenue
12:30 p.m. (MST) until gone
Bowman
4 Seasons Pavilion
South Main Street
2 p.m. (MST) until gone
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October 25
Dickinson
Biesiot Activities Center
398 State Avenue
9:30 a.m. (MST) until gone
Richardton
St. Mary’s Social Center
332 2nd Street North
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (MST)
New Salem
Security First Bank
700 Ash Avenue
1:15-2 p.m.
October 26
Mayville
May-Port Food Pantry
703 Helen Avenue
1:30 p.m. until gone
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The need for nutritious food is truly critical.
Each fall we see a significant increase in the number of children, older adults and families seeking food assistance.
This year, the sustained high cost of living is putting extra strain on our neighbors’ budgets, forcing them to make difficult choices between food and other essentials while turning to the Great Plains Food Bank and our partners for help.
Thankfully, our friends at Corwin Automotive Group have offered to match all gifts to the Great Plains Food Bank, up to $50,000, so your support will go even farther! Gifts we receive between now and October 31, 2023, will DOUBLE to provide twice as much food for children, families and older adults facing hunger in our communities.
Please, make your gift today to ensure everyone facing hunger has access to nutritious food this fall and into the holiday season.
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About the Great Plains Food Bank | |
The Great Plains Food Bank's mission is to end hunger together. A proud partner of Feeding America, our vision is to create a hunger-free North Dakota and Clay County, Minn. We do all things in the spirit of passion, service and innovation. Together we can solve hunger. | |
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GREAT PLAINS FOOD BANK
1720 3rd Avenue North
Fargo, ND 58102
1315 South 20th Street
Bismarck, ND 58504
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