RAPID CITY, S.D. – A local grocer is expanding its established community program to help families across the Black Hills affected by delays in government nutrition benefits, which have coincided with the ongoing federal shutdown.
Timmons Market, a fixture in the Rapid City community, announced a major expansion of its “Helping Hands” initiative to assist neighbors who are struggling with food security. The decision comes as state and national reports highlight the potential for nearly 75,000 South Dakota residents to lose federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits in November if the government shutdown continues.
The grocery store chain is bulk-buying additional groceries to assemble larger Helping Hands food boxes specifically for those impacted by the benefits delay. The market’s existing program has provided food to local families for over seven years through customer donations.
To fund the emergency effort, pre-sales for the Helping Hands food boxes began today. Customers can purchase a food box for $12.99, a price set at cost to ensure all funds go directly toward feeding local families. Timmons Market has initially ordered enough supplies to create at least 500 food boxes.
The store has committed to matching every box purchased by customers, pledging to donate an additional box, up to a total of 500 matched boxes. The food boxes will be available for pickup starting Monday after 5 p.m. for those affected by the shutdown.
In addition to the food boxes, the market has set up a community donation bin in the store for customers who wish to contribute non-perishable food items. The contents of this bin will be available to anyone in need.
The community effort in Rapid City reflects growing concerns statewide about the lack of an immediate plan to cover federal food assistance for the thousands of residents who rely on the program in South Dakota.
