RAPID CITY, SD — The Black Hills Area Community Foundation (BHACF) has activated the Black Hills Food Response Fund to help local nonprofits respond to the rising need for food assistance amid federal SNAP disruptions and the continued federal government shutdown. Donations to the response fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 by the Sustaining Black Hills Nonprofits Fund, a partnership between BHACF, the John T. Vucurevich Foundation and the Bush Foundation. Half of the funding raised will support Feeding South Dakota’s Black Hills programs, and half will support local nonprofit food resources. This emergency fund is a direct response to requests from Black Hills nonprofit leaders, who are seeing a marked increase in the demand for food as families navigate uncertainty from the federal shutdown. All 19,976 SNAP recipients, including more than 8,500 children, in the Black Hills area are expected to see a disruption to their benefits this November.
“The Black Hills has a long history of stepping up for our neighbors when it matters most and now is one
of those times,” said Chris Huber, President & CEO of the Black Hills Area Community Foundation. “Let’s
be clear, nonprofits can’t completely replace lapses in SNAP funding, but with the community’s support,
we can help nonprofits meet this hopefully short-term surge in demand for food.”
Since late October, BHACF staff members have been actively supporting and coordinating with Feeding
South Dakota and other local food services across the region. Many food pantries have reported serving
families they’ve never encountered before or running out of food more quickly than usual. Others are
preparing for demand to increase later in November. Feeding South Dakota is seeing an uptick in
demand and providing increased food through all of their Black Hills programs.
“At a time when so many families are facing uncertainty, this support helps ensure that food reaches
those who need it most—both through our work and through the smaller community partners standing
on the frontlines of hunger. This gift is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together
to care for our neighbors,” said Lori Dykstra, CEO of Feeding South Dakota.
In addition to Feeding South Dakota’s Black Hills services, at least one food pantry in each Black Hills
county is providing essential food assistance to local families in November. Families looking for
charitable food resources can dial 211 or text their zip code to 898211.
Community members can donate to the Black Hills Food Response Fund at bhacf.org, or by mailing a
check to BHACF, 243 Founders Park Drive Suite 102, Rapid City, SD 57701 with BHACF / Food Response in
the payee line. Donors are welcome to call 605-718-0112 to learn how the Fund is meeting the needs in
their community.
Black Hills nonprofits serving Butte, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Custer, Oglala Lakota, and Fall River
counties can request a meeting with BHACF staff to discuss their food service needs through the Black
Hills Food Response Survey at: bit.ly/blackhillsfoodservices