Nearly 1,700 pounds of non-perishable food items and more than $900 in cash were donated by the public as part of the recent community food drive sponsored by the City’s Public Works Department and AFSCME Union.
The numbers for the second annual food drive far surpassed expectations of food drive organizers and exceeded the collections of last year’s drive. All total 1,698 pounds of food items were collected along with $914 in cash donations.
The food and cash donations go to Feeding South Dakota. The food items will be distributed to the school food pantries at Rapid City High School and Douglas High School for students and their families. The cash donations are matched dollar for dollar by the Greg and Pam Sands Foundation. Passmore said Feeding South Dakota will use the cash donations to purchase food to be handed out at the mobile food distributions and through senior boxes and backpacks for students. Feeding South Dakota estimates the cash donation will yield 5,484 meals for distribution.
“The response from the public was simply outstanding,” said Gelynn Passmore of the City’s Public Works Department. “We extended a couple days because the amount being collected continued to increase. Food items and cash donations continued to roll in. The community’s response was impressive and with one in six children facing hunger each day, both the food and cash donations will make a big impact on families in our community.”
The food drive began November 1 with food collection bins set up at the City Hall lobby, Rapid City Public Library and the Public Safety Building. The food drive culminated with a collection drive at the Mountain View Family Fare store. Food drive organizers extended collections at City Hall and the Library through early Monday morning.
Food drive organizers hoped to build on the 374 pounds of food and $250 in cash donations collected as last year’s inaugural drive.
“It was a great food drive,” said Jewett. “We are thankful to the generosity of those who donated food items and cash. Because of the donations, the Thanksgiving holiday will be a bright one for many local families.”
With the success of this year’s drive, both organizers say the collection will be an annual event for City offices
