South Dakota food bank sets up Thanksgiving drive-throughs

Feeding South Dakota is distributing Thanksgiving meals to residents across the state this November. The organization, which identifies as the state’s largest hunger relief group, has arranged a network of 58 local community partners to host these holiday food giveaways.

The campaign responds to what charity leaders describe as rising household costs during the holiday season. These expenses often force families to make difficult financial choices, increasing reliance on community food resources. Lori Dykstra, the CEO of Feeding South Dakota, noted that neighbors often turn to the organization for help during this time.

"During the holidays, we often see more neighbors turn to us for help. That’s why these meals are more than food. They’re an opportunity to spend time together celebrating traditions and making memories," Dykstra said.

The primary drive-through events are scheduled for Saturday, November 21. In Rapid City, volunteers at the Central States Fairgrounds at 800 San Francisco Street will serve West River residents from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Mountain Time. In Sioux Falls, the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds at 100 N. Lyon Boulevard will host distributions from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Central Time.

Organizers expect to serve up to 1,500 families at each location on a first-come, first-served basis. No pre-registration or identification is required. An adult aged 18 or older must be present in the vehicle, and each car may receive a maximum of two meal kits.

Financial support for the statewide effort is being bolstered by a matching challenge. The Greg and Pam Sands Foundation is sponsoring a dollar-for-dollar match for donations made between November 2 and November 27. Greg Sands, a donor, stated that this match ensures every contribution goes twice as far. The funds support food distributions in all 66 South Dakota counties throughout the year. Additional details are available at feedingsouthdakota.org or by dialing 211.