Avera Health has given Feeding South Dakota a grant of almost $127-thousand to continue to provide nutritious food through its Mobile Food Pantry Program to food insecure individuals in communities in the central part of the state.
This is the second multi-year grant award to the Mobile Food Pantry program to ensure that people in the communities of Aberdeen, Cherry Cheek, Fort Thompson, Herreid, Huron, Ipswich, Little Eagle, Leola, Midland, Miller, Parmelee, Philip, Redfield, Reliance & St. Francis will have continued access to nutritious food.
The Mobile Food Pantry began operations in January 2013 and distributes free food to individuals and families in need in central South Dakota. Precisely coordinated deliveries allow for the efficient distribution of fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat proteins as well as other non-perishable food to communities that lack adequate access to quality, nutritious foods. To date, the Mobile Food Pantry has distributed 2.9 million pounds of food, providing 2.4 million meals.
Development director Christina Oey says through the help of our 400 partner agencies and programs, Feeding South Dakota reaches all 66 counties in the state, serving the one in nine individuals who are considered to be ‘food insecure.’ She says still, a significant ‘hunger gap’ exists, especially in the underserved, rural and most remote areas of the state.
Avera Health President and CEO Bob Sutton says Avera is proud to partner with Feeding South Dakota– an organization that strives to make lives better and healthier throughout our state with an emphasis on meeting the needs of the underserved – a mission that is not unlike Avera’s.
A lack of nutrition leads to greater susceptibility of disease and chronic conditions. A lack of energy leads to lower performance on the job or in school. Hunger, especially in children, has been shown to weaken cognitive function, impair social interaction and cause declines in alertness and class participation. The effects of ongoing hunger and lack of nutrition can last a lifetime.
(Dakota Radio Group)