RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rapid City Public Works Department and the AFSCME Union are sponsoring their fourth annual community food drive, “Pack the Pantry,” starting Nov. 3. The effort seeks to provide non-perishable food items to families across the Black Hills region through Feeding South Dakota.
The drive begins Monday, Nov. 3, and continues through Nov. 23. Collection bins will be placed at six public locations in Rapid City, including the lobby of City Hall, the Rapid City Public Library, Fire Station 1, the Bus Depot, the Public Safety Building, and both local Family Fare grocery store locations.
Cash donations are also being accepted to directly benefit Rapid City’s Meals On Wheels program and the Backpack Program. Those wishing to make a cash contribution can do so online at https://rapidcitypublicworks.online/2025FoodDrive.
City Public Works Administration Operations Manager Shannon Truax said staff are focused on collecting specific items.
“Public Works staff is again collecting donations of non-perishable food to support Feeding South Dakota and help keep our neighbors fed,” Truax said. “We will have collection bins located at various City locations and at the Family Fare stores. We will also have internal collection points placed in each City Public Works facility to encourage some friendly competition between our work groups and help us collect the specific items that Feeding South Dakota has said will address the greatest need for our most vulnerable citizens.”
For more information about the ‘Pack the Pantry’ project in Rapid City, contact Truax at 605-394-4165 or shannon.truax@rcgov.org.