RAPID CITY, SD – The recent ‘Pack the Pantry’ food drive, a collaboration between AFSCME and the Rapid City Public Works Department, concluded with record-setting totals in both food and financial donations, demonstrating a significant outpouring of generosity from the community.
The three-week initiative collected 4,877 pounds of non-perishable food-nearly two and one-half tons-and $2,826 in cash contributions. These totals more than doubled the combined amounts received from the food drive over the previous three years.
The donations are expected to provide approximately 20,000 meals for individuals and families in need, supporting local organizations including Feeding South Dakota, Meals on Wheels, and the Backpack Program.
Event coordinators from AFSCME and Public Works expressed their gratitude for the community’s willingness to step up.
“We’ve been humbled by the generosity of the public, as well as the amazing internal efforts of City staff,” said City Public Works Administration Operations Manager Shannon Truax last Friday, near the drive’s conclusion. “The donations are making a big difference for many families in our area, will make the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday special for many, and also will help restock the food pantry shelves that were impacted by the recent government shutdown and temporary impacts to the SNAP program.”
Collection bins for the drive were strategically placed at various locations throughout Rapid City, including both Family Fare stores, the lobby of City Hall, the Bus Depot, the Public Safety Building, Fire Station 1, and the Rapid City Public Library.
