BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – The Great Plains Food Bank works with various people to combat food insecurity in the state. Food drives and expansions increase the number of people the group is able to help.
Summer can be a tough time for families who struggle with food insecurity. Without school meals, kids can go hungry. Food drives like the one the Bismarck Optimist Club has organized aim to assist organizations like the Great Plains Food Bank in filling the gap.
“I think what the Great Plains Food Bank does for our community is so important, so we just really want to align ourselves with a partner organization that helps kids,” said Julie Jeske, president of the Bismarck Optimist Club.
The organization receives donations from various places.
While this particular food drive is for the Bismarck location and focused on feeding kids during the summer, it is one of many ways the Great Plains Food Bank is able to help others.
“The community that helps rally these food drives is just another part of that, and we’re able to collect those items, get them into our warehouse and our facilities, and then get them out to our partner agencies who can deliver them to neighbors,” said Darby Njos, communications manager at the Great Plains Food Bank.
Another way the organization continues to lend a helping hand to the community is by expanding. They are currently working on receiving funding for a new statewide distribution center, where they plan to focus on rural and underserved communities.
“We’re here to end hunger together, and we can only do that with everybody involved,” said Njos. “That’s private partnerships, government partnerships, that’s churches, that’s organizations and it’s neighbors, just like you and me.”
If Governor Kelly Armstrong signs it, House Bill 1143 will grant the organization $5 million to build this facility.
Details on the Bismarck Optimist Club food drive can be found on their website.
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